Blue tendrils and large blue flowers wind around the cream teapot and two cups of this travel tea set, which comes in a zipped carry case. The teapot lid has a black ball knob set on a small gold-coloured flower. With the teapot at about 9 × 9 × 7 cm, the whole set weighs about 1.1 kg.
Like old Chinese blue and white ware
Chinese potters were already painting white pots with cobalt blue in the 14th century. Flowers and winding tendrils in blue have been among the best-known patterns of Chinese ceramics ever since, and this set follows that old tradition.
Chinese blue and white ware reached Europe by ship, and in the 17th century the potters of Delft in Holland began to copy it. That is where the familiar Delft blue comes from.
Tea for two on the move
The teapot, lid and two cups each sit in their own hollow inside the case, and you can carry it in one hand by the handle. It comes in handy on a long train journey, at a weekend cottage or on a garden bench. Bring hot water in a flask, as the ceramic teapot cannot go on the hob. Slip a couple of tea bags into a small pouch beside the case, and you will have everything to hand on the way.
For a blue and white kitchen
If your kitchen already has blue and white plates or mugs, this set will look at home beside them. With two cups it suits two people, say for a shared morning tea. Wash it by hand and do not scrub the painted pattern.
To drink Chinese-style, hold a handleless cup at the rim between thumb and forefinger, with your middle finger supporting it from below. For a name day or Christmas, you can give the set in its carry case without any extra wrapping.