Tiered Folding Tea Tray

Afternoon tea began in England in the 1840s, when Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, started taking tea and a light bite in the late afternoon. At the time, dinner was often served much later in the evening, and that long stretch between meals needed a little help.
What started as a private refreshment soon became a fashionable social ritual. Friends were invited, tea was poured, and by the Victorian and Edwardian years, afternoon tea had become a favorite way to gather in drawing rooms and sitting rooms. It was not just about the tea, but the conversation, the company, and of course, the treats.
As the custom grew, so did the need for pretty and practical serving pieces. Folding tea and cake stands like this one were a clever part of that tradition. Their tiered shelves gave cakes, biscuits, sandwiches, and sweets a place to shine, while the foldaway design made them easy to tuck aside when the visit was over.