Tea Caddy or Tobacco Box
early 18th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This container of pierced and engraved brass was intended for use as either a tobacco jar or tea caddy. While the shape is more typical of a tea caddy, the iconography of the engraving refers to smoking. The engraving, which is of exceptional quality, includes figures of a man and a woman, floral scrolls, vases of flowers and an in Dutch, 'the Dutchman and his wife'.
A tea caddy is a closed container for dry tea, used as part of a tea service. The term caddy (originally 'catti') is derived from the Malay word kati, which was a unit of measure used exclusively for tea. A kati equalled about 600 grams--the weight of the standard 18th century packet of tea.
A tea caddy is a closed container for dry tea, used as part of a tea service. The term caddy (originally 'catti') is derived from the Malay word kati, which was a unit of measure used exclusively for tea. A kati equalled about 600 grams--the weight of the standard 18th century packet of tea.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Brass, pierced and engraved |
Brief description | Brass tea caddy or tobacco box, pierced and engraved with floral scrolls, figures and an inscription, Dutch, early 18th century |
Physical description | Engraved with figures, floral scrolls and an inscription. The liner is missing. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This container of pierced and engraved brass was intended for use as either a tobacco jar or tea caddy. While the shape is more typical of a tea caddy, the iconography of the engraving refers to smoking. The engraving, which is of exceptional quality, includes figures of a man and a woman, floral scrolls, vases of flowers and an in Dutch, 'the Dutchman and his wife'. A tea caddy is a closed container for dry tea, used as part of a tea service. The term caddy (originally 'catti') is derived from the Malay word kati, which was a unit of measure used exclusively for tea. A kati equalled about 600 grams--the weight of the standard 18th century packet of tea. |
Bibliographic reference | Turner, Eric An Introduction to Brass, London, HMSO, 1982 ill. ISBN 0112903762 |
Collection | |
Accession number | 591-1883 |
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 | January 12, 2004 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest