About

Welcome. I’m Maureen, avid fine china collector and owner of The China Cabinet.

In 2007, my best friend and I hosted a tea party for family and friends. The table was laden with finger-sized club sandwiches, a variety of mini savouries, scones with jam and cream as well as a selection of dainty cream cakes. This was all beautifully displayed and served on our finest collection of china, silverware, crystal and linen.

Our guests were so delighted, not only with the food but with the beautiful presentation. It created quite an impression and lots of happy memories.

From here came the idea to offer for hire the tableware to others wanting to host tea parties in the same way. The China Cabinet was established.

We are now a boutique hire company specialising in providing a full range of quality vintage tableware for all occasions. And our collection continues to expand.

I do especially love that The China Cabinet has allowed me to indulge my passion for collecting vintage English fine china.

Many of the pieces I have in my collection were gifted as birthday, engagement, wedding and anniversary presents to their original owners but sat in china cabinets admired but considered too special to be used. I believe they are too beautiful not to be used.

My preference is for china produced in England during the last century, Royal Albert in particular is a favourite. I love the endless variety of colours and patterns. The intricate designs and the gold gilding make these timeless works of art.

I so look forward to sharing them with you.

Gallery Contact Us

Deborah Asprey Motif Lifestyle Images www.motif.co.nz

Our collection of beautiful vintage tableware will add a touch of elegance to any special occasion

We supply to private individuals, caterers, venues, event planners, stylists and more. We supply for birthdays & anniversaries, baby showers, engagements, bridal showers, weddings, retirement parties, garden parties, afternoon teas & high teas.

Hire Collection

Jessica Jones Photography www.jessicajones.co.nz

What we offer

Local Service

We offer a personal delivery service Canterbury wide and elsewhere by arrangement. Viewings at and collections from our Rolleston base are welcome by appointment.

The Little Details

Not sure about items or quantities required? Let us help. With over 16 years’ experience we can assist with all the small details to ensure the perfect setup for your special occasion.

Extensive Hire Range

We have a vast hire collection catering to all events from small to large. It is all in immaculate condition with many colours and patterns available.

Kind words

“The China Cabinet is a china lover’s paradise. Maureen has taken care in ensuring she has the most beautiful collection of fine china pieces for people to enjoy and use, her collection range goes far wider than any other person’s collection I have seen. Maureen’s pieces are perfectly intact and are always delivered in person. She offers to help set up her china for events to ensure it is always looking ‘just right’. I have used her pieces for a variety of different events/occasions, from high teas, lunches and afternoon teas and I would never look anywhere else again when it comes to hiring china.”

- Maegan Thompson, Burlington Village

“The China Cabinet has the most beautiful vintage tea sets! Maureen never fails to provide an extremely smooth and reliable service! She always goes above and beyond! We have loved hiring from her for our Women in Engineering high tea events over the years and will continue to do so!”

- Juliet, UC Women in Engineering

“Thanks for having the most amazing hire products that have been so beautifully cared for! Everyone adored using the teacups and Tracey Allsopp Photography couldn’t get enough of those champagne glasses! You were so wonderful to deal with 🥰”

- Kerianna

“I love your china so much. I have been following you for ages and I was always going to be using your china at my wedding. I actually had you on Pinterest before I even had a fiancé 😂”

- Annabelle

“I have hired silver trays, tea pots, cake stands and champagne glasses for high tea fundraisers and birthday parties. Everything was well organised and reasonably priced. Highly recommended!”

- Catherine

“Fantastic selection of china! Such fun selecting each piece for my daughter’s first birthday, will definitely hire from here again.”

- Julia

“Maureen has an impressive China collection and was a absolute pleasure to deal with from initial enquiries through to collection & recipe advice. Thank you!”

- Danielle

“This event was a great success last year and your gorgeous tea sets really elevate the high tea experience.”

- Daniel, Maître D, The Russley Village

“I have hired from The China Cabinet several times and have been impressed with both the quality of china and other items for hire, and the impeccable customer service provided by Maureen. The whole process of selecting china to pickup/delivery is stress free every time and the china is top quality – no chips or cracks or wear. My guests have always been “wowed” by the beautiful china. I highly recommend Maureen and The China Cabinet.”

- Shona

“Honestly could not have been happier. There is everything you could ever hope to hire for a tea party at The China Cabinet and the array of options to select from is seemingly endless! When it comes to tea and china, Maureen is passionate and knows exactly what she’s doing which made the whole process so much fun and so easy. She was so wonderful to work with – having an amazing collection of very pretty and high quality china, and is also such a lovely person. Could not recommend working with The China Cabinet enough.”

- Amy