Exhibition Announcement At the Tea Table: The Making of a National Drink
Image credit: Pieter Van Roestraeten, Still Life with a Silver Candlestick, ca. 1696, Collection Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam. Loan Stichting Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Photography Studio Tromp
Admiral Nelson’s personal teapot takes centre stage at At the Tea Table: The Making of a National Drink, a temporary exhibition presented by the Chitra Collection at the Bank of England Museum (Tuesday 5 May – Friday 29 May 2026). Supported by Newby London, this thoughtfully curated show brings together historic silver and ceramic teaware, offering a unique glimpse into Britain’s enduring love for tea.
Designed by Su Koh Design in the form of a tea table, the exhibition traces how tea, once a luxury commodity imported from Asia, became embedded in British life. Introduced in the 17th century through global trade networks, tea transformed British craftsmanship, alongside daily routines and rituals. This intriguing story is presented through extraordinary silver and ceramic objects from the Chitra Collection.
Across ten themes, the exhibition traces the rise of the tea trade in Europe, the pivotal role of the East India Company, and how a commercial enterprise gave way to imperial expansion, conflict and violence. At the same time, it considers how tea shaped British culture, design and technical innovation.Join us at the tea table, to discover the history behind a national drink
Exhibition opening times: Monday to Friday, 10am–5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Closed weekends and Bank Holidays. Closed at 3pm on 29 May.
