Tea Caddy thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Tea Caddy

ca. 1790-1820 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The interior of this lacquered box is divided into two compartments. Each contains a pewter tea caddy with two sets of lids. The lid of the box is inscribed with the owner's monogram WJCCB. This piece is a typical export item, and a reminder that tea was originally an expensive luxury.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Tea Caddy
  • Tea Caddy
  • Box
Materials and techniques
Wooden box, covered with black lacquer, with gold lacquer decoration; pewter tea caddies
Brief description
Box of lacquered wood, decorated with gold lacquer on a black ground in Japanese maki-e style. Overall decoration of symmetrical floral scrolls against a complex network of triangles and hexagons enclosing circles. Inside contains two pewter caddies decorated on the upper surface with a floral pattern against a ring-matted ground.
Physical description
Rectangular box with hinged lid, the interior divided into two compartments, each containing a removable tea caddy with two sets of lids. The box is of lacquered wood with gold decoration on black ground. The pewter caddies have been etched and engraved in low relief on the upper surface only.
Dimensions
  • Box height: 13.7cm
  • Box width: 21.4cm
  • Box depth: 12.5cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
W.J.C.C.B. (The personal monogram indicates that the box was custom-made for the European market.)
Translation
personal monogram
Credit line
Mrs Constance Elizabeth Horton Bequest
Summary
The interior of this lacquered box is divided into two compartments. Each contains a pewter tea caddy with two sets of lids. The lid of the box is inscribed with the owner's monogram WJCCB. This piece is a typical export item, and a reminder that tea was originally an expensive luxury.
Bibliographic reference
Clunas, Craig, Chinese Export Art and Design, V&A, 1987, p. 93.
Collection
Accession number
FE.170 to F-1975

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Record createdApril 6, 2000
Record URL
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