TAKING TEA WITH ENGLISH BODIES: A social history of tea and the development of English ceramics

What is a “dry” body? How is it different to a translucent body? See for yourself in this tour about tea and its accoutrements.

18th - 19th century tea wares from private collectors along with quaintly crafted food and artificial flower will transform William Johnston’s residence during Melbourne’s wintry months.

This is an event about more than ceramics because we are interested in all the 'bodies' used to create the accoutrements of tea – metals, ceramics, wood and glass.

Commencing with a slide presentation in The Kent Room, whilst you enjoy a cup of tea, this segment will include a tactile experience with pieces drawn from The Johnston Collection’s growing “Hands-On Teaching Collection”.

Then it is into the Green Drawing Room in groups of no more than four people per guide to explore the history of taking tea through a collection of artefacts in Mr Johnston’s 18th century Chippendale-style bookcase.  A series of tabletop tableau throughout the ground floor will take you on an evolving historical journey culminating in the kitchen where we see preparations for afternoon tea.

Upstairs two major collectors of Wedgwood are generously lending their collections for this program in Mr Johnston’s home. 

The hallways will be decorated by vases of flowers, one created by a member of The Embroiderers Guild Victoria and the other by members of the Australian Lace Guild. A handout to take home will help you remember this innovative educational program