Tea became the nation's beverage during Queen Victoria's reign. Lower taxes on tea and the expansion of plantations in India (the plant had originated in China) meant there was more affordable tea than ever before, making it accessible to more levels of society.
 
As afternoon tea was a popular pastime in the late 19th century, every tea service would come with a large cake or bread and butter plate. These are three serving plates made in Stafforshire in the late Victorian period.
 
In good condition.
 
Diameter of the plates 24cm