English China tea set from Picnic at Hanging Rock

This cream-coloured English China tea set was used as a prop in Peter Weir’s iconic Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). It features the Excella brand with a delicate blue-and-red pattern and gold-edged detailing. Seen in a serene yet foreboding scene, the tea set accompanies the Fitzhuberts as they enjoy tea just before Michael Fitzhubert wanders off to explore the area. As the girls from Appleyard College pass by, the unfolding teatime ritual subtly marks the calm before the mysterious disappearances of three schoolgirls and one of their teachers. Michael's journey becomes deeply connected to the strange events at Hanging Rock. After he watches the girls – Miranda, Marion, Irma and Edith – hop over the creek and begin their ascent, he is pulled into the enigma of their disappearance. His growing concern for Miranda’s safety becomes a central aspect of his character. This antique tea set shows the care taken by the art department in sourcing realistic props for the film. The highly collectible Excella brand of tea sets was popular in the early 1900s; the Hanging Rock picnic takes place on 14 February 1900.