What a thrill Benjamin Godwin's "Peacock" pattern red transfer toy tea set must have been for its first owner in the 1830's--and likely for subsequent generations of careful little girls. Was this a nursery toy for elaborate dolly tea parties or a teaching aid instructing the young mistress in her future role at the tea table? We would like to think it was a combination of both.

Benjamin Godwin's "Peacock" pattern is a strictly juvenile pattern, not found on adult size wares. It features a pair of peacocks in the foreground, one showing full plumage. A distant country house, trees and pond suggests the peacocks are one of the accessories of country house living. An accompanying fretwork border suggests Victorian lace or possibly the fancy ironwork favored in the day.

The shapes of the pieces with their elaborate scroll handles and floral knops display in full force the rococo revival style of the 1830's. Few toy sets feature such meticulously potted detail.

Inventory
Teapot --------------Length 7 1/4 in.,Height 4 1/4 in.
Sugar ----------------Length 4 3/4 in., Height 3 1/2 in.
Creamer ------------ Length 4 1/4 in., Height 2 7/8 in.
Waste Bowl ---------Diameter 4 1/8 in. , Height 2 1/2 in.
Two Cups and Saucers--Diameter (Saucer) 4 1/2 in.,
Height (Cup) 1 5/8 in.