5 Wonderland-Inspired Tea Sets for Tea Time
This May, it’s time to take a trip through the looking glass… back to Wonderland (sorry, Underland) to see all the characters that we know and love. In the follow-up to 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, Mia Wasikowska returns as Alice, along with Anne Hathaway (the White Queen), Helena Bonham Carter (The Red Queen), Alan Rickman in his final role (the Caterpillar), and of course, the inimitable Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.
In honor of Burton’s second outing with Carroll’s classic stories, we’ve rounded up some of the best Alice in Wonderland inspired tea-sets. Have your own tea party with a few “mad” friends, or turn things upside down and drink whiskey in a teacup while you re-watch the first film ahead of the sequel.
The Classics
“There was a table set out under a tree in front of a house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it…”
Where better to begin than at the beginning? While Lewis Carroll’s whimsical tale has now be re-made into multiple films, poems and comics, it’s still beautiful just as it always was. Truly embrace the era of the original book with some beautifully elegant chinaware that feels beautifully old-fashioned. Mrs Moore’s Vintage Store sells this stunning set that suits the story perfectly.
For the finest of china, Whittards of Chelsea has been in the business of tea since 1886, and they know everything there is to know about a true English high tea. Lewis Carroll himself may have had a drink at Whittard’s first ever tea shop! Their Alice in Wonderland sets are beautifully colored and delicately drawn – perfect for the classiest tea party.
Or, if you want the party but aren’t a fan of the tea, try this espresso set! With the teapot reading “down the rabbit hole” and character cups reminding you that “we’re all mad here” (don’t worry, the best people are!), this sweet and simple set is perfect for coffee-lovers.
Tea for One
“’I didn’t know it was your table,’ said Alice; ‘it’s laid for a great many more than three’”
You may be missing the dormouse, the Cheshire cat, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, but don’t despair! With these solo tea-sets, you can steep just enough tea for one in the pot, pour it out into the perfectly proportioned cup, and still get the look of a fat and cheerful teapot on the table. Toasted Glass makes the stunning Disney-inspired teapot above, with Alice and the Cheshire Cat, while Emilies Emporium plays with the start of Alice’s story with this “Eat Me, Drink Me” combo.
Just the Cups
“Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here?’ she asked. ‘Yes, that’s it,’ said the Hatter with a sigh: ‘it’s always tea time, and we’ve no time to wash things up between whiles.’”
When a whole teapot feels excessive for just one person, you can always go for Alice in Wonderland-inspired cups, and get a little of that classic tea-time feel with a minimum of washing up. These sweet and simple cups still come with saucers, though – otherwise they would just be mugs, and the Mad Hatter and the March Hare don’t ever drink out of mugs!
Above, another eat me/drink me combo by Left Of Rose, and below, More Than Porcelain’s take on the theme with a classic illustration.
Alice Through The Looking Glass comes to theaters May 27th
“…the last time she saw them, they were trying to put the Doormouse into the teapot.”
