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Frank Beddor
By: 
Frank Beddor
May 17, 2023

6 of the Very Best Mad Hatter Tea Sets To Collect

The Mad Hatter’s Day came and went in October, but don’t be fooled – it’s never too early to prepare for the next year’s celebration! And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, it’s that the allure of Victorian elegance can be found even in the most ordinary of objects – like a humble tea set.

Subtlety is not the name of the game in Wonderland. Oh no, my dear reader. This is a world where everything is larger than life and eccentricity reigns supreme. These sets are not your typical run-of-the-mill dishes. They boast whimsical designs and extraordinary style that will transport you straight to the Mad Hatter’s tea party. And trust us, once you set these beauties on your table, the ambiance they create will have you feeling like a true Mad Hatter in no time.

So come along with us as we tumble down another rabbit hole and explore the very best Mad Hatter tea sets for every occasion. Just a word of caution, dear reader – the further you delve, the stranger and more whimsical these tea sets become!

1.) MARY BLAIR UPSIDE DOWN HANDLE COLLECTION

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This Alice in Wonderland Teacup boasts a simpler design, yet there is still a degree of madness about it – particularly with the reverse handle.

The light aqua-colored coating serves as the base for paintings depicting scenes from Wonderland, and it comes in a set of four – each with its own mesmerizing story told through the paintings. But the magic doesn’t stop there. The plates in this collection feature paintings of the unique fauna native to Wonderland.

Crafted by the renowned Mary Blair, this collection is not just for avid collectors, but also for those who want to relish in the delight of afternoon tea in the comfort of their own homes. Though it may not create an ambiance in the same manner as some of the more eccentric tea sets we shall soon explore, this teacup is a fitting collectible for those who appreciate the artistry of Wonderland.

2.) TRI-SPOUT TEA SET

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And now, we invite you to discover a true masterpiece in the world of teapot design – the Tri-Spout Teapot. Yes, you read that right – a teapot with not one, not two, but three spouts! This may sound like something straight out of Wonderland, but we assure you it is quite real.

The unique design is sure to be a conversation starter and will undoubtedly make a statement in any home. The white background serves as the perfect backdrop for the impeccably crafted silhouettes of Alice, the Red Queen, the Cheshire Cat, and the Red Queen’s soldiers. The true star of this set is the teapot – with its three pouring holes, featuring the Red Queen and her warriors. A cute red heart adorns the lid, adding to the whimsy of the design. While it may not be practical, it is indeed lovely.

3.) TIM BURTON’S THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS TEA SET

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For fans of the topsy turvy and often dark machinations of Tim Burton, this tea set sports a modest and modernist silhouette with striking artwork of his Alice In Wonderland characters. Each cup is adorned with vibrant colors coinciding with the characters featured. Naturally, Johnny Depp’s iconic Mad Hatter takes the place of honor on the tea pot itself.

4.) JAMES SADLER VINTAGE CHILDREN’S BOOK TEAPOT

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For a bit of pedigree on your tea table, and if you have a keen eye for auctions and scant availability—consider seeking out a James Sadler Alice in Wonderland Children’s Book Teapot. Hard to come by, but well worth the hunt.

Anyone with any awareness of fine porcelain and novelty collections alike will know the works of James Sadler. Stand out among the multitude of the company’s wide variety of teapots and tea sets would be the “Classic Stories Book Collection”. From Treasure Island to Wind in the Willows and even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s masterwork Sherlock Holmes every teapot in the collection is brilliantly crafted to look like a bundle of books.

Best of all is of course the Alice in Wonderland Classic Stories Teapot. So popular is the timeless tale that the teapot was released once in the 1970s and again with updated art in 1990. No finer image could be selected for the “cover” of this book than the iconic tea party scene. Those with an eye for detail will also smile to see the red rose emblematic of the Red Queen atop the little teapot serving as the piece’s lid.

5.) CLASSIC JOHN TENNIEL ALICE IN WONDERLAND ILLUSTRATION TEA SET

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With a nod to Victorian elegance, this tea set sports black and white illustrations created by the iconic John Tenniel for the original books by Lewis Carroll infused into the porcelain. Alice, The Mad Hatter, The Cheshire Cat make their appearances on the teapot and cups. Collectors will also adore that the maker Angioletti Designs offers the set in powder blue, gentle green, and soft pink. Likewise, each color set offer a different combination of illustrations.

Of course, the set is made whole by a creamer cup and a sugar bowl. Rest assured despite the “eat me” labelling no shrinking or growing should occur upon consumption. The border of each piece is a scrolled raised gold which would make even Queen Victoria pleased with the royal dignity of tea time with this porcelain masterpiece.

6.) ULTRA RARE ALICE IN DISNEYLAND TEA POT

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For the big spender collectors, here is a crown jewel. Disney’s iconic depiction of Wonderland was so bursting with color and beautiful whimsey—and this tea set from Elisabete Gomes perfectly captures everything about the movie.

This is another tri-spout teapot, but it sports even finer hand sculpted creatures and flowers from the gardens of Wonderland from the previous entries on this list. Alice and the Cheshire cat are perfectly depicted, but the Singing Flower at the centerpiece of this tea pot makes it true centerpiece item for the most discerning collectors of Alice in Wonderland memorabilia.

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