Tea Caddy thumbnail 1
Tea Caddy thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 52b

Tea Caddy

1766-1767 (hallmarked)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
A canister, used to hold tea leaves. This example was probably one of a pair.

Design
The curving form and scrolling feet of this canister derive from furniture of the period, and betray a strong French influence. The finial (a reclining East Asian male) acts as a handle with which to lift the hinged cover.

Decoration
A decorative Chinese theme was one of the characteristics of the Rococo style, and is appropriately found in numerous tea services. Goldsmiths frequently used Chinoiserie ornament from the late 1740s, and Pierre Gillois (active from about 1754), the maker of this canister, seems to have specialised in tea wares of this type. The front panel depicts a lady seated under an parasol playing a musical instrument; the back panel has a seated female under a pagoda roof, holding a basket of fruit. All four panels show fantastic landscapes with pagodas, set amidst Rococo scrollwork, foliage and flowers.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Tea Caddy
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Silver, chased and embossed
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.7cm
  • Width: 9.9cm
  • Depth: 10.6cm
Dimensions checked: Registered Description; 01/01/1997 by KN
Gallery label
British Galleries: The design of this canister, with its bulging sides, scrolling foliage and imaginary 'Chinese' scenes is inspired by Chinese models. The figure on top acts as a handle for removing the lid and is a common feature of Rococo teaware.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Elton B. Ede
Object history
Made in London by Pierre Gillois (active from 1754)
Summary
Object Type
A canister, used to hold tea leaves. This example was probably one of a pair.

Design
The curving form and scrolling feet of this canister derive from furniture of the period, and betray a strong French influence. The finial (a reclining East Asian male) acts as a handle with which to lift the hinged cover.

Decoration
A decorative Chinese theme was one of the characteristics of the Rococo style, and is appropriately found in numerous tea services. Goldsmiths frequently used Chinoiserie ornament from the late 1740s, and Pierre Gillois (active from about 1754), the maker of this canister, seems to have specialised in tea wares of this type. The front panel depicts a lady seated under an parasol playing a musical instrument; the back panel has a seated female under a pagoda roof, holding a basket of fruit. All four panels show fantastic landscapes with pagodas, set amidst Rococo scrollwork, foliage and flowers.
Collection
Accession number
M.299:1, 2-1923

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Record createdApril 23, 1999
Record URL
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