Tea Canister thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 118, The Wolfson Gallery

Tea Canister

1780-1800 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Tea caddies were used to store loose tea leaves. They were called 'canisters' until about 1800, when they became known as 'caddies', the term we use today. They were placed on the table as tea was served, and were therefore decorated in a variety of fashionable styles.

Design & Designing
The caddy is in the form of a classical urn or vase, in the Neo-classical style fashionable in the 1770s and 1780s. The border veneer of strips of light and dark wood imitates the fluting, or grooves, which were often carved into Neo-classical furniture. Knife cases in the shape of vases were also popular dining-room accessories.

Materials & Making
Pale satinwood veneer was often used for Neo-classical furniture and fittings such as this. The edges are accentuated with narrow lines of brass inlay. The round knob at the top of the cover, and the key-hole plate are made of ivory. There is an inner lid, to help keep the tea fresh, of satinwood inlaid with a rosette. Tea caddies had locks for security because the price of tea was high.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Tea Caddy
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Satinwood veneer, with tulipwood and stained wood, brass stringing, ivory finial and ivory key-plate
Dimensions
  • Height: 23cm
  • Width: 11.5cm
Credit line
Given by Thomas Sutton, Esq.
Object history
Made in Britain
Summary
Object Type
Tea caddies were used to store loose tea leaves. They were called 'canisters' until about 1800, when they became known as 'caddies', the term we use today. They were placed on the table as tea was served, and were therefore decorated in a variety of fashionable styles.

Design & Designing
The caddy is in the form of a classical urn or vase, in the Neo-classical style fashionable in the 1770s and 1780s. The border veneer of strips of light and dark wood imitates the fluting, or grooves, which were often carved into Neo-classical furniture. Knife cases in the shape of vases were also popular dining-room accessories.

Materials & Making
Pale satinwood veneer was often used for Neo-classical furniture and fittings such as this. The edges are accentuated with narrow lines of brass inlay. The round knob at the top of the cover, and the key-hole plate are made of ivory. There is an inner lid, to help keep the tea fresh, of satinwood inlaid with a rosette. Tea caddies had locks for security because the price of tea was high.
Collection
Accession number
W.94&A-1921

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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