Tea and Me On view now

Tea drinking is an everyday tradition shared by people from all walks of life.

We like our tea made a certain way and of course, in a special mug or cup. Like other objects in our lives, we often assign teacups a second life – they are valued because of what they mean to us.. We keep them in a special place and they provide us with comfort and peace and remind us of shared moments.

Funded through the Queensland Library Foundation, Tea & Me is a unique collection project that seeks to capture Queensland's special tea-related memories.

Teacups and sets on display in State Library of Queensland’s Reception and Queensland Terrace  include teacups from individuals who have kindly donated their precious objects and shared their stories with us.

The Queensland Terrace is a room of delightful surprise, adopting the miscreant logic of being both outdoors and a precious cabinet for treasures and memories. It houses a fragile domestic cargo of china teacups that evokes memories of places, people and occasions throughout the state.  The collection speaks of the humble collective ritual of tea-taking while simultaneously being reflected, multiplied, fractured and glorified in kaleidoscopic patterns over the glamorously mirrored ceiling.

Discover more

Childrens tea party at Marlborough Queensland

Tea Time State Library of Queensland Flickr set

View State Library's Tea Time photograph collection on Flickr.
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Afternoon tea in the garden Gympie ca 1907 Photographer Unidentified John Oxley Library State Library of Queensland Negative number 73097

Vintage Queensland Cups and Saucers

Learn more about four vintage tea cups and saucers and one plate featuring images of Queensland locations, found in the State Library collection.
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Tea break for the workers in the bush Christmas post card ca 1905 Photographer Unidentified Brisbane John Oxley Library State Library of Queensland Negative number 95540

Retro Sandgate Brisbane Cups and Saucers 1950-1959

A matching-pair of vintage retro cups and saucers decorated with an image featuring the Town Hall viewed from Sandgate Memorial Park.
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Woman standing at small table in backyard pouring tea 1910-1954 Arthur McLeod Brisbane John Oxley Library State Library of Queensland Image number32086-0008-0003

"Greenmount Beach" Coolangatta, Qld. Plate and Cup ca. 1950

View a three piece souvenir teacup set featuring an image of Greenmount Beach at Coolangatta.
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