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Tea Caddy and Lid

1765-1766 (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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Tea Caddy
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Silver, raised and embossed
Brief description
Tea caddy, silver, London hallmarks for 1765-66, mark of T. Freeman and J.Marshall
Physical description
Tea caddy, (one of a pair), silver, pear shaped with spiral gadrooning and embossed with flowers, Domed cap surmounted by a flower.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15.6cm
  • Width: 8.5cm
  • Depth: 8.5cm
  • Weight: 182.7g
  • Weight: 5.87troy
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks for 1765-66
  • Mark of T. Freeman and J. Marshall
Credit line
Bequeathed by W. J. Johnson
Object history
Bequest - W J Johnson
Acquisition RF: 44 / 505
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.
Associated object
Collection
Accession number
M.1779:1, 2-1944

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Record createdSeptember 10, 2004
Record URL
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