The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-29
AT 5 O'CLOCK TEAS.
Cheering Beverage at Afternoon Func-
tions Matter of Much Moment


AS a tea drinker, the American wo-
man is fast following in the footsteps
of her English sister, and a magic
manner of serving this cheering bever-
age has become one Of her pet hob
bies. Now that drawing rooms are
crowded to the doors, many of AIiladi's
unique ideas in this regard are hold
ing the attention of her afternoon
guests. Souvenirs from the various
summer jaunts or foreign travels help
to make these exceedingly interesting
and they offer a common topic of con
versation in the gable of the fleet
ing minutes when teacup is perched
'twixt saucer and lip.
In the first place, a subdued light
is now considered positively essential
for the afternoon tea. In whatever
rooms the guests are received, there
mystic rays from shaded candelabra
and Opaque electroliers shed the much
sought for Oriental atmosphere. Tall
candles standing in their sticks at least
three feet from base to flame some
times give the only light aside from
the blaze beneath the steaming hot
water.
Different hostesses brew the tea it.
self in various ways, but exquisite lit
tie china pots are a particular fad at
present, and the beverage is made in
these or brought in them piping hot
from the kitchen. For this purpose
there come Japanese tea baskets of
wicker lined with stunningly patterned
silks and thickly padded, leaving
space just large enough to receive the
pot. For a tea party Of only two,
these baskets contain a pretty teapot
of Chinese medallion ware and a cOu-
pie of cups without handles, to match.
The delicate china pot has also in
troduced the use of tea cozies, than
which, by the way, there is no more
acceptable gift One is easily shaped
from two tall, rounding oblong pieces
of silk, two thicknesses of sheet Wad-
l. 4
China silk used for window draperies
and showing striking Oriental mono
gram or crest designs, covers these eff
fectively, while a delicate shade of
cord trims the curving seams over the
top and around the opening, and ter
inmates in a loop at the left side, with
ends holding large fluffy tassels.
Fascinating among the new tea
pots are some importations from ia
pan. One shows octagonaI sides, each
presenting some grotSsque or hideous
face in caricature of the yellow man.
A maze Of rich colors mingle in these
odd designs. Another pot is in white
porcelain in tail and gracefully slen-
der shape, with a wriggling lizard
forming the spout and a sinuous snake
the handle, both animals being
wrought in Delft blue porcelain.
When a pot matches the cups-and
this is most popular at present-the
tall, narrow shape is the seasons fav-
orite. One Of the very new patterns
in these complete sets has caused a
great deal Of comment among the
friends of a woman who is just fresh
from a trip through the Orient. OF ex-
tremeIy thin china the hand painting
on the outer surface displays a crowd
ing of lotus blooms in mahogany and
peacock blue, while the shape Of the
pot, caddie. etc, Stimulates a Moham-
medan mosque.
The Iightest of traps are employed
in carrying choice china for tea SER
vice, and large fat trays of highly
veneered wood are extremely handy.
Crystal trays also have a vogue, and
an expensive wooden tray of scarlet
displays an enormous peony carved
over its upper side.