Pink and white children's china tea set decorated with the theme 'Juvenile sports'. The set now contains two plates, five cups, three saucers, teapot, cream jug, sugar bowl with lid. It could be expected from these remaining pieces that there may have been at least six cups, saucers and plates in the original set.

This set is richly decorated with a garlanded edge design which extends well into the plates and inside the cups and jug. The central design is of a boy and girl examining a toy, possibly a top. This was just one of several tea sets given to the State Library of South Australia by the Crompton Family. All bore evidence of being well played with.

Children's tea sets could be as elaborate as full-sized ones, with fluting and intricate decoration. Plainer sets were also available, perhaps for the less wealthy end of the market.

Cadbury, Betty. Playthings past, Newton Abbot [Eng.]: David & Charles, c1976

King, Constance Eileen. The encyclopedia of toys, Adelaide: Rigby, 1978

Riley, Noel. Gifts for good children: the history of children's china. Part 1, 1790-1890, Ilminster, Somerset: Richard Dennis, 1991

Powerhouse Museum: Collections. Search for 'toy tea sets'

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. To be a child August 2004-