Tea Caddy
1754-1755 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The term caddy (originally catti) is derived from the Malay word, kati, which was a unit of weight used for tea, 75 katis equalling 100lbs. The kati was the weight, about one and one third pounds (600 grams) of the standard 18th century packet of tea.
The tea caddy is a closed container for dry tea, used at a tea table as part of a tea service. The earliest examples in silver were in the shape of Chinese porcelain tea jars. Later, caddies in silver or Sheffield plate were made in many styles, shapes and sizes.
The tea caddy is a closed container for dry tea, used at a tea table as part of a tea service. The earliest examples in silver were in the shape of Chinese porcelain tea jars. Later, caddies in silver or Sheffield plate were made in many styles, shapes and sizes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, raised, embossed, chased and engraved |
| Brief description | Silver, London hallmarks for 1754-5, mark of Daniel Piers |
| Physical description | Tea caddy, silver, one of a set of three, vase shaped with gadrooned and shell decoration. Four rococo handles on the shoulder. Circular foot, vertical gadrooning on the body and cover. Originally with a ladle shaped spoon, shell bowl, the handle ending in a volute. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Francis William Smith |
| Object history | Bequest - Francis William Smith per Miss S A Chamber, 18-20 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, SE3 Acquisition RF: 22 / 6187 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The term caddy (originally catti) is derived from the Malay word, kati, which was a unit of weight used for tea, 75 katis equalling 100lbs. The kati was the weight, about one and one third pounds (600 grams) of the standard 18th century packet of tea. The tea caddy is a closed container for dry tea, used at a tea table as part of a tea service. The earliest examples in silver were in the shape of Chinese porcelain tea jars. Later, caddies in silver or Sheffield plate were made in many styles, shapes and sizes. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.400B-1922 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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