Title: The England’s Legacy; The Remains of the Most Hospitable Hobbits
Objects: Jar, tea pot with no lid, and 4 saucers
Medium: Ivorine China
Creator: Terra England, potter
Place of Creation: Woods Ivory Ware, Michel Delving, Shire
Artifact Number: M-h 504-510
Collection: Permanent
Source: Wedding gift for Drogon and Primrose England from Drogon’s mother, Terra England
This tea set is part of the pottery collection that displays the production of pottery in the Shire and exhibits the unique identification of the old England clan. This set is part of The England’s Legacy and was created by the England clan who used to run the Woods Ivory Ware that specialized in hospitable goods. The England clan was infamous for personalizing their pieces by adding details that intertwined personal qualities of either specific hobbits or specific clans. While this tea set lacks the teapot’s lid and pairing teacups, it contains an additional jar and saucers that further portrays this specific pattern of flowers and gold and black detailing.
These are what remains of Primrose England’s (also known as Primrose Bewood before marrying Drogon England) tea set. The tea set had been circulated due to both the tea set coming from the famously hospitable family of the England clan, but also for the hobbits’ known hospitable quality and gatherings. However, the tea cups and the lid of the teapot were broken during a birthday party after a hobbit got too rowdy around the gifts. This tea set did survive the hobbit custom of circulating gifts, however, due to losing the matching teacups and the lid of the teapot, it could not be used in gatherings anymore. Yet, the legacy of its hospitable value and its background was too great to throw out. The tea set was created as a wedding gift to Drogon and Primrose England by Drogon’s mother, Terra England. Terra England was a hobbit who was an exceptional hostess and enjoyed creating pottery. She embodies the hobbits love for domestic items, especially those that serve the purpose of comfort and homey traditions. This tea set displays a special pattern and floral picture which reflects the agricultural practices that occurred in hobbit culture. The flower bouquet depicted on the pieces displays the primrose flower, and portrays her good relationship with Primrose. This specific tea set has an additional jar to hold sweets, which is said to have been especially for Primrose who had a sweet-tooth, further exhibiting both the personal touch and importance in gatherings.
On this set, there is the same pattern exhibited on the teapot, jar, and saucers, and it clarifies how this entire set was meant to be a gift for a specific person. This intention of gifting for specific people becomes clear how significant it is to be connected within the Shire, and how nurturing relationships is highly valued. The teacup set showcases the legacy of being great hosts for gatherings, as well as how important it is in the hobbits culture to invite others into the comfort of your own home. Therefore, before the loss of the teacups and teapot lid, every time this tea set was circulated it brought this immense honour to the receivers because it held the England legacy of strong community. This historical background influenced other hobbits to stay hospitable and welcoming, and encouraged the hobbits to keep appreciating company. Tea time was and remains a significant activity for keeping a strong community and fostering good relationships with other hobbits. The practice of consistently circulating gifts, arranging mass gatherings, and indulging in the simple pleasures of tea time portrays perfectly the kind of culture and identity hobbits have.
The historical background is thus brought forth when considering the hobbits’ practices seen on and through this tea set. The historical activities that hobbits engaged in inside of the Shire notably involved peaceful hobbies, and encompasses the hobbit nature of staying in comfortable places and not venturing out of the Shire. In dissecting this comfort, the hobbits favour stability and thus the tea set reestablishes hobbits attachment to tradition. Hobbits became isolated, and therefore became part of activities that strayed away from war-like activities and possessions and instead reinforces peaceful practices that require peaceful devices. Instead of requiring armour, hobbits created homey and agricultural gadgets. It is also important to notice that this set also contains a jar and saucers, it evidently presents the importance of food, and amplifies this overall sense of inviting hobbits into the comfort of an individual’s own home. This key aspect of appealing to food also links to the hobbit trait of having well-equipped kitchen items. Another aspect that this tea set elicits is what occurs during tea time. Tea time is an activity where storytelling and significant discussions are conversed. This sacred activity is ingrained in hobbit culture, and becomes part hobbit routine. Keeping this tea set in the Mathom House elicits the values of hospitality, gifting, and acceptance, but also underlines the hobbits cultural identity, hobbies, and tradition.
Image Copyright Information:
Left Photo: Photograph, ‘Teapot with no Lid, Jar, and Four Saucers.’ Medium: Ivorine China. Manufacturer: Woods Ivory Ware. Description: Woods Ivory Ware tea set. Date: ca.1930’s-1940’s. original Owner: Melanie Rowe. Photographer: Shannon Rowe. Source of Object: Gift to Rowe Family Descents. License: May not be reproduced without permission of this page’s creator.
Right Photo: Photograph, ‘Bottom of Jar and Teapot With No Lid, Four Saucers, Displaying Woods Ivory Ware England’s Label.’ Medium: Ivorine China. Manufacturer: Woods Ivory Ware. Description: Woods Ivory Ware tea set. Date: ca.1930’s-1940’s. original Owner: Melanie Rowe. Photographer: Shannon Rowe. Source of Object: Gift to Rowe Family Descents. License: May not be reproduced without permission of this page’s creator.