Tea Canister
1760-1765 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Tea canisters were containers for storing tea-leaves. They are often called 'caddies' today, a name that derives from the Malay word for a measure of weight (kati) equivalent to about half a kilogram. In mid-18th century Britain tea not made in the kitchen, but in front of the family and guests by the lady of the house. Like other tea utensils, canisters are therefore often highly decorative.
During the 18th century, as its price gradually fell, tea ceased to be an expensive luxury and became more widely drunk. In 1784 import duties were drastically reduced. These changes were reflected in the increasing size of the containers over the course of the century.
Design & Manufacture
Ceramics with naturalistic moulded decoration were very popular in mid-18th century Britain. This cauliflower canister was made by pressing wet clay into a hollow two-piece plaster mould bearing the shape in reverse. The seam from the mould down the side of the canister is clearly visible. The hollow moulds for making this piece were formed using a convex master model of the shape. The master model would have been made in stoneware, probably by a specialist block-maker.
Tea canisters were containers for storing tea-leaves. They are often called 'caddies' today, a name that derives from the Malay word for a measure of weight (kati) equivalent to about half a kilogram. In mid-18th century Britain tea not made in the kitchen, but in front of the family and guests by the lady of the house. Like other tea utensils, canisters are therefore often highly decorative.
During the 18th century, as its price gradually fell, tea ceased to be an expensive luxury and became more widely drunk. In 1784 import duties were drastically reduced. These changes were reflected in the increasing size of the containers over the course of the century.
Design & Manufacture
Ceramics with naturalistic moulded decoration were very popular in mid-18th century Britain. This cauliflower canister was made by pressing wet clay into a hollow two-piece plaster mould bearing the shape in reverse. The seam from the mould down the side of the canister is clearly visible. The hollow moulds for making this piece were formed using a convex master model of the shape. The master model would have been made in stoneware, probably by a specialist block-maker.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware, with a lead glaze stained with metal oxides |
| Brief description | C |
| Physical description | Tea canister with leaf decoration |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed with the initials 'JW' on the base |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mr Arthur Hurst |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Tea canisters were containers for storing tea-leaves. They are often called 'caddies' today, a name that derives from the Malay word for a measure of weight (kati) equivalent to about half a kilogram. In mid-18th century Britain tea not made in the kitchen, but in front of the family and guests by the lady of the house. Like other tea utensils, canisters are therefore often highly decorative. During the 18th century, as its price gradually fell, tea ceased to be an expensive luxury and became more widely drunk. In 1784 import duties were drastically reduced. These changes were reflected in the increasing size of the containers over the course of the century. Design & Manufacture Ceramics with naturalistic moulded decoration were very popular in mid-18th century Britain. This cauliflower canister was made by pressing wet clay into a hollow two-piece plaster mould bearing the shape in reverse. The seam from the mould down the side of the canister is clearly visible. The hollow moulds for making this piece were formed using a convex master model of the shape. The master model would have been made in stoneware, probably by a specialist block-maker. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.16-1940 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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