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Caddy

1794-1795 (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. The earliest examples in silver were in the shape of Chinese porcelain tea jars. Later, caddies in silver or Sheffield plate were made in many styles, shapes and sizes.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, engraved
Brief description
Tea caddy, silver, York hallmarks for 1794-95, mark of J. Hampston and J. Prince.
Physical description
Tea Caddy, silver (one of a pair), barrel shaped, domed cover, engraved with a cipher, WRR.
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.625in
  • Diameter: 2.9375in
Marks and inscriptions
  • York hallmarks for 1794-95
  • Mark of J. Hampston and J. Prince
  • Engraved with a cipher of WRR.
Credit line
Bequeathed by Arthur Hurst
Object history
Bequest - Arthur Hurst
Acquisition RF: 40 / 434
Subject 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. The earliest examples in silver were in the shape of Chinese porcelain tea jars. Later, caddies in silver or Sheffield plate were made in many styles, shapes and sizes.
Associated object
Collection
Accession number
M.29A/1-1940

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Record createdSeptember 10, 2004
Record URL
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