Tea plates

by Larry
(Knoxville, Tn)

When I watch people having afternoon tea in English movies they often place their cake or sandwich on a small plate which they usually perch on their knee.

I started collecting teacups and saucers several years ago, both because I like them and because it gives me a reason to explore antique shops. It's easy to find cups and saucers but I rarely ever see the tea plates.

I wonder if I have been mistaken about them. Have I only imagined those small plates or have they all somehow been broken or separated from their matching cups and saucers? What does everyone else use to hold their watercress sandwiches?



Hello Larry

Thank you for your thoughts on tea plates. I have a set of 6 small plates given me by my sister-in-law. They had been in her family for many years.

Have you tried e-Bay, I have picked up some nice tea sets there. If you check out my pages on Royal Albert china you will see a picture of a tea cup and saucer sitting on top of a slightly larger plate. This plate would be used for tea sandwiches. I did a quick search on eBay through that page, typed in tea plates and did find a few. Not many, but I'd say it would be worth a look.

All the best
Connie and Crew