BEHIND THE CRAFT
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10 Amazing Tea facts

1) The global tea market value is more than $250,000,000,000 [a quarter of a trillion dollars!]

2) Tea was first drunk in China more than 5000 years ago!

3) If the tea plant is not pruned, it becomes a tree more than 50ft high.

4) In China, what is known in the west as Black Tea, is Red Tea.

5) In the UK, over 150 million cups of black tea are drunk every day!

6) The race for tea in the 19th century was the reason for the development of fast ships.

7) Black Tea and White Tea come from the same plant.

8) The number 1 tea consuming country in the world is … Turkey!

9) The mysterious art of reading the tea leaves is…. Tasseography.

10) Tea is only the 2nd most popular drink in the world - after water.

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Halcyon Days Kensington Palace Gates Mug

Handmade in England in the heart of the famous Potteries, a beautifully decorated 24-carat gilded fine bone china mug from Halcyon Days. With a new design inspired by the Golden Gates of Kensington Palace, London.

The East India Company - Lifestyle

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£40.00
Created by Halcyon Days in collaboration with the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces, who look after some of the greatest palaces ever built and have celebrated royal events in style for centuries.

Handmade in Stoke-on-Trent, England in the heart of the famous Potteries, this beautifully decorated fine bone china mug is inspired by the famous ‘Golden Gates’ found at the entrance to Kensington Palace.

Gilded with 24ct gold, it’s a beautiful and luxurious gift or a fine addition to a home.
Using the right brewing equipment, cups or mugs is a further essential part of the tea equation.

We seek out and curate the best examples that create the right experiences for our teas.
Kensington Palace Gates Mug, gilded with 24 carat gold.

Colour: White, Yellow, Black
Dimensions: Height: 84mm * Diameter: 76mm (incl. handle: 110mm)
Materials: Fine Bone China

DO NOT USE IN DISHWASHER
DO NOT USE IN MICROWAVE

Made by Halcyon Days in England.
About Halcyon Days

Established in 1950, Halcyon Days began as a small emporium of antique gifts in Avery Row, Mayfair, London. Now with head office in Knightsbridge and manufacturing in the famous Potteries, tradition is at the heart of everything that Halcyon Days does. As the modern specialist guardian of enamelling, highly skilled craftsmen and master artists employ refined techniques that have been handed down for generations.

With a belief in promoting, cherishing, developing and maintaining British craftsmanship and manufacturing, Halcyon Days is now also known for its English fine bone china and fashion accessories, establishing itself as the destination for luxury gifts.

Stories

Porcelain: From China to Europe

The Chinese have been crafting porcelain for over 1000 years before The East India Company even arrived in China in 1637, when their east-west trading began. The opportunity was clear and up to the start of the 18th century, traditional shapes were modified for western demand, whilst retaining traditional Chinese decorations and patterns.

This porcelain was brought back to London by The East India Company pioneers and was very popular amongst wealthy customers who had some involvement with the Company, such as London merchants, ship captains, governors, and politicians.

Into the 18th century, now instead of complementing the European market with distinctive Chinese designs, China started to compete directly with European manufacturers, making goods entirely according to western specification, in both shape and now pattern. European families might order entire dinner services emblazoned with their own coat of arms.

Tea exports from China were booming. Porcelain production too.
The two mighty commodities came together in the form of the first porcelain teapots - the East India Company started to commission Chinese designers to create teapots in porcelain, because of the durability compared to what was available in England. A longer spout that better met tea drinking habits of the Europeans changed the design of the small clay teapots that had been created in China 200 years before.

Much is made of the East India Company’s discovery and importation of porcelain from China, yet for most of the eighteenth century it made up no more than 2% of the total annual value of the Company’s China trade.

But it was the catalyst for the British porcelain industry, which was about to take off, with consequent decline in imports from China.

What happened next? See our Story ‘Porcelain: From Chinoiserie to the Brown Betty’.

Our spirit delivers no ordinary products

  • FAQ

    Is this product dishwasher safe?
    No. Fine bone china items decorated with precious metals should always be hand washed, and never placed in a dishwasher.

  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £3.95
    UK Next Day Delivery (mainland UK only): £9.95 (Order before 12pm)
    International Delivery is available, please see our delivery page for details. For more information and Terms & Conditions, please see our Delivery page.

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