Antique of the month - A charming Worcester Teapot, blue and white 'Temple'
pattern with a disguised numeral mark, c1775-85
 An attractive Worcester teapot decorated in
blue and white with the 'Temple' pattern and marked on the underside with the
Worcester disguised '4' numeral mark. This stunning early Worcester teapot
dates from c1775-85 and is in remarkably good condition.
 The teapot is
a smooth barrel shape with beautifully moulded spout and ear shaped handle. Very rich and extremely fine gilding is applied around the
joint of the spout and the teapot. The tip of the spout also has applied gilt
decoration.
The 'Temple' print, applied to both sides of the teapot, comprises a willow pattern type of design but
without the usual bridge within the scene. It shows two very tall Chinese style
temple like buildings on an island on the left hand side of the scene. There are
two pairs of figures standing toward the centre of the scene with a small
pavilion building between them. To the right of the scene is a second island
with more oriental style buildings within a rocky and tree covered landscape.
There is an applied painted light blue painted foreground to the pattern.
This is certainly a very fine early Worcester teapot of pleasing
shape and striking blue and white 'temple' pattern decoration, c 1775-85
More details of this item and other tea related antiques can be found by
visiting my web site at
www.TeaAntiques.com.
  A recommendation for a spot of seasonal shopping, some refined settings and
the perfect Christmas afternoon tea, I would take you off to Bath and nearby
Bradford-on-Avon. In the early part of December, there is a traditional
Christmas shopping fair, which sets up its stalls gathered around the impressive
Bath Abbey, Roman Baths and the Pump Room. A large Christmas tree stands outside
the Pump Room and in front of the Abbey. If you arrive there around 9.30, you
will just be in time for the Pump room to open and can take advantage of a
wonderful brunch in the beautiful setting of the elegant Georgian Pump Room,
built in 1795.
Brunch is a civilised way to start the day in Bath. This comprises a glass of
freshly squeezed orange juice, eggs Benedict, toast and preserves and lashings
of tea. It is beautifully served by polite and well dressed waiting staff, while
you sit and enjoy the relaxed surroundings and listen to the Pump Room Trio.
  It
is quite easy to let your mind wander back to the eighteenth century when this
very room would have been alive to wealthy , elegantly dressed ladies and
gentleman dancing round the room at a fashionable ball. The Pump Room has
changed little since then and still holds that air of elegance. A very large
long case clock, designed for the room still remains in good working order at
one end of the Pump Room. Either side of this impressive clock stand two sedan
chairs, used in the eighteenth century to covey the rich ladies and gentleman
about the town
Feeling quite relaxed from brunch, you then feel fit to take on the crowds of
Christmas shoppers around the Christmas market. The market is made up of
decorated wooden sheds, each housing a stall selling interesting Christmas type
gifts and crafts. The Abbey rises above the market to provide a perfect setting.
If fortunate, you may even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas collecting money
for those less fortunate than ourselves.
 In conjunction with the Christmas market, No 1 Royal Crescent opens its doors
for Christmas visitors to Bath. the Royal crescent is John Wood the younger's
very grand creation, built at the end of the eighteenth century when Bath was a
most fashionable spa town for the rich.
 No
1 Royal Crescent is a museum that is decorated and furnished much as it would
have been at the time it was built and contains some very fine rooms. The Dining
Room is set for the dessert course of dinner and in the elegant Drawing Room on
the first floor, there is a Pembroke table set for tea. A Worcester teaset
graces the table along with an oval wooden tea caddy, blue glass lined sugar
basket and a magnificent silver spirit kettle which stands in a Chippendale
style kettle stand.
I was rather bemused on my visit that the guide in the Drawing Room insisted
that the tea canister of the Worcester teaset (similar to the one shown here)
was in fact for emptying slops into! After trying to correct her, I had to
resort to getting a book from their own gift shop which correctly referred to it
as a tea canister before she believed me! It just shows that you cannot always
believe what you hear.
To walk round this house takes you back to the
Georgian period and shows how elegant a time this was for those who had money.
There are a few small antique shops and markets around the city of bath, so a
chance to do a little antique shopping too.
  In the old covered market, close to the Town Hall and Art Gallery, you will
find a wonderful tea merchant. The stall sells a host of fine loose teas,
including some of its own special blends. There is a seasonal Christmas tea
blend on sale too, this having hints of cinnamon and spice. I usually stock up
with a supply of teas from here, to take home and enjoy through the coming
winter months.
As well as selling some very fine loose teas, this shop also sells coffee's
and a host of tea and coffee wares - maybe a perfect Christmas gift for a
friend?
Bath Pump Room
Abbey Church Yard
Bath
BA1 1LZ
Tel: 01225 477785
Website: http://www.romanbaths.co.uk
Click here for
Local Map
Map courtesy of www.streetmap.co.uk
 After several hours of shopping, I recommend the short drive (or bus or train
journey) to Bradford-on-Avon for a visit to the Bridge Tea rooms. Bradford, like
Bath boasts some very fine Georgian houses, set around the hills rising from the
river Avon. The town's bridge, with its interesting stone jail house at one end,
connects both sides of the town. Overlooking the bridge is the tiny Bridge Tea
rooms. I can think of no better place for the perfect afternoon tea. This tea
shop has won countless awards from various tea councils and I can certainly say
that the quality of the tea served here is unsurpassed.
 At this festive time, the
Bridge Tea rooms is beautifully decorated with
traditional Victorian-style Christmas decorations, including what looks like a
snow covered Christmas tree in the window.
Served by black frocked and white pinafore and capped waitresses, the tea and
cakes on offer make one spoilt for choice! They have a very rich and dark fruit
filled Christmas cake, covered in marzipan and white royal icing - a very
traditional Christmas treat.
 Also on offer, a huge cream filled chocolate log
bedecked with a holly sprig. A slice of this is very large and I dread to think
how many calories - but hey - it's nearly Christmas! Alternatively, try their
flaky pastry mince pies. what ever you choose, you will come out of this tea
room feeling replete and in a good Christmas mood.
Bradford-on-Avon does have a few very good antique shops, so worth the short
walk around the town to take in a little more antique shopping and work off some
of the tea!
If you are fortunate enough to be able to visit Bath and Bradford-on-Avon over the
Christmas period, I hope that you will be able to follow my Christmas trail and
enjoy the day as much as me.
Details:
The Bridge Tea Rooms, c1675
24a Bridge Street
Bradford-on-Avon
Wiltshire
England
BA15 1BY
01225 865537
General
location map
Bradford street map
Maps courtesy of www.streetmap.co.uk.
To soak up the atmosphere of Christmas past, then a trip to
Lydiard house near Swindon is a place that I can recommend. Lydiard house, is a
beautiful Palladian fronted house, which is now owned and run by Swindon
Council. Inside for the month of December, the rooms of this beautiful house are
decorated in Victorian Christmas style.
 Within
the entrance hall stands a large Christmas tree to greet you. Then in the Library, the master of the house sits at his desk, maybe writing his Christmas
greetings. In the centre of the room a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with
Victorian toys underneath, including a charming horse bike.
 The
Dining Room of the house is set for the Christmas dinner with all the guests
names placed at their respective seat together with the seasonal Christmas
crackers. The table is beautifully set out with all types of fruit, flowers and
confection. The Lady of the house is there to give her final approval of the
table before her guests arrive.
A very nice festive touch is a big red crape bow tied to the
backs of each of the shield back dining chairs.
 At
the large mahogany sideboard stands the stiffly dressed butler. He will be there
to see that the dinner party runs like clockwork for the hosts and guests.
 While
there is merriment amongst the upstairs guests, there is still plenty of household chores to be done by the servants before they can get to enjoy their own
Christmas celebrations.
A Victorian Christmas at Lydiard is a good way of getting into
the festive spirit and to enjoy some fine rooms of a beautiful country house.
Details:
Lydiard Park
Lydiard Tregoze
Swindon
SN5 3PA
Tel: (01793) 770401
Website:
www.swindon.gov.uk/lydiardhouse
 Here
is what may be the perfect gift for your friends or yourself as a tea antiques
lover. This beautiful calendar is illustrated with some magnificent tea type
pictures with collectible and antique teapots. Each picture is a composition of
antiques, cakes, well balanced colours which are inspirational to any tea lover.
 Not
only are there fantastic illustrations, but with each month there is a feature
about tea time facts and history. Such things as tea accessories are explained,
like these silver cake servers - the essential accessory to the Victorian
society tea.
You can order these calendars from 'Workman Publishing' from the
web site www.workman.com and I am sure that
who ever receives it, there will be a full year of pleasure to behold in 2007.
Merry
Christmas Tea Clipper Readers
From
Adrian
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