he Palace of Versailles’ gleaming Hall of Mirrors and resplendent gardens recall the splendor and luxury cultivated by France’s Sun King, Louis XIV. However, this lively and often crowded court was rife with political posturing, infidelity, and gambling during the 18th century. It was also a place where France’s nobility encountered goods imported from the Far East, including fine porcelain and tea leaves from China. At the time, tea was a new and wildly expensive beverage in France, accessible only to the wealthiest. So, it is no surprise that tea and teaware were desirable amongst the royal family and their courtiers.
