Showcase with a selection of tea cosies; Temporary mini exhibition at the TRC.The TRC has a small collection of 25 tea cosies, and recently one of the TRC student/volunteers, Tina Morthier, made a small exhibition of tea cosies, which can be seen until the end of November in a special showcase on the ground floor of the TRC building. Tea cosies became popular in Western Europe in the mid-nineteenth century and were used to show off needlework and knitting skills. Their use died out in the late 20th century when tea bags became widely used.

There is a crazy patchwork cosy from Australia, from 1892 (TRC 2023.1882), a cosy in the shape of a country cottage from Great Britain, from the early 20th century (TRC 2025.0429), a beaded tea cosy from 19th century Europe (TRC 2024.3105), and a knitted cosy from the 1960s, Australia (TRC 2023.1884).

And what about a small, black and hand embroidered cosy from early 20th century Netherlands (TRC 2019.2825)?

Crazy patchwork tea cosy from Australia, dated 1892 (TRC 2023.1883).

Tea cosy in the shape of a British country cottage, Britain, early 20th century (TRC 2025.0429).

Beaded tea cosy from Europe, 19th century (TRC 2024.3105).

Knitted tea cosy from 1960s Australia (TRC 2023.1884).

Embroidered tea cosy from the early 20th century Netherlands (TRC 2019.2825).