Tea Canister
1773-1774 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Tea canisters, sometimes called caddies today, were containers for storing tea leaves. They often have a lock, as tea was initially an expensive luxury. A gradual fall in price allowed tea to be drunk more widely during the 18th century especially after import duties were cut in 1784. Tea was prepared by the lady of the house in front of family and guests in the drawing room, not in the kitchen. Taking tea was an important form of entertainment in society and this was reflected in the elegance and richness of the tea utensils. Canisters are therefore often highly decorative.
Design & Cost
The simple cube form of this tea canister is based on the wooden chests in which the tea was imported from China. This shape was known as a tea tub in the 18th century. A certain Charles Kent purchased a square tea tub from the goldsmith Parker & Wakelin for £7 7s 5d in 1772.
Materials & Making
Although the tea canister was hall-marked and probably sold through the shop of the goldsmiths George Cowles (died 1811) & Louisa Courtauld, it may have been put together by a number of independent specialists. The tea canister bodies, made from silver sheet seamed at the side, could have been supplied by one maker, who then passed the object to another to add a lock and liner and on to a third for engraved decoration. This was the usual method of manufacture in the silver trade at the time.
Tea canisters, sometimes called caddies today, were containers for storing tea leaves. They often have a lock, as tea was initially an expensive luxury. A gradual fall in price allowed tea to be drunk more widely during the 18th century especially after import duties were cut in 1784. Tea was prepared by the lady of the house in front of family and guests in the drawing room, not in the kitchen. Taking tea was an important form of entertainment in society and this was reflected in the elegance and richness of the tea utensils. Canisters are therefore often highly decorative.
Design & Cost
The simple cube form of this tea canister is based on the wooden chests in which the tea was imported from China. This shape was known as a tea tub in the 18th century. A certain Charles Kent purchased a square tea tub from the goldsmith Parker & Wakelin for £7 7s 5d in 1772.
Materials & Making
Although the tea canister was hall-marked and probably sold through the shop of the goldsmiths George Cowles (died 1811) & Louisa Courtauld, it may have been put together by a number of independent specialists. The tea canister bodies, made from silver sheet seamed at the side, could have been supplied by one maker, who then passed the object to another to add a lock and liner and on to a third for engraved decoration. This was the usual method of manufacture in the silver trade at the time.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gilt, with cast and engraved decoration |
| Brief description | Silver, English |
| Physical description | Caddy - 02/10/96 per DH will be ready in 2 week |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved with the crest of the Hare family (a demi-lion rampant holding a cross fitchee) and with the Chinese characters for 'upper', 'spring' and 'direction' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
As the Chinese characters on this canister or 'caddy' suggest, its square form was directly derived from the 'kati' or chest in which Chinese tea was imported. The geometric Greek key pattern on the edges was used both in China and in ancient Greece and Rome. The armorial crest has a Neo-classical laurel swag and ribbon.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs P. Milsted |
| Object history | Made in London by Louisa Courtauld (died in 1807) and George Cowles (in partnership from 1768) |
| Summary | Object Type Tea canisters, sometimes called caddies today, were containers for storing tea leaves. They often have a lock, as tea was initially an expensive luxury. A gradual fall in price allowed tea to be drunk more widely during the 18th century especially after import duties were cut in 1784. Tea was prepared by the lady of the house in front of family and guests in the drawing room, not in the kitchen. Taking tea was an important form of entertainment in society and this was reflected in the elegance and richness of the tea utensils. Canisters are therefore often highly decorative. Design & Cost The simple cube form of this tea canister is based on the wooden chests in which the tea was imported from China. This shape was known as a tea tub in the 18th century. A certain Charles Kent purchased a square tea tub from the goldsmith Parker & Wakelin for £7 7s 5d in 1772. Materials & Making Although the tea canister was hall-marked and probably sold through the shop of the goldsmiths George Cowles (died 1811) & Louisa Courtauld, it may have been put together by a number of independent specialists. The tea canister bodies, made from silver sheet seamed at the side, could have been supplied by one maker, who then passed the object to another to add a lock and liner and on to a third for engraved decoration. This was the usual method of manufacture in the silver trade at the time. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bennett, A., English Woman Silversmiths, Country Life , Jan. 20th 1977
Hermarck, The Art of the European Silversmith, Pl. 330 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.28-1934 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
