Images(2)

tea caddy

Object NameTea Caddy Set

Made FromLead Glass, Silver; Wood, Velvet, Metal

Date1775-1780

Place MadeEngland

SizeSee Individual Records

Accession Number60.2.67

Credit LineGift of Mrs. William Esty

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

Not On View

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Tea was often stored in expensive containers. A hostess would open them and prepare the tea in front of her guests.

Physical DescriptionTea Caddy Set: Caddy of clear lead glass, with silver top having festoons and narrow arcade circlets incised; heavy wear marks at base; blown and cut. Flat oval-shaped straight-sided body with flat underside and ground pontil mark; sloping shoulder with short cylindrical plain neck to receive the silver top. The cut decoration consists on the obverse and reverse of an elaborate star motif, and on the narrow rounded sides of a vertical triple band of diamonds. The caddy fits into (C) wooden box along with other caddy: velvet lined wooden octagonal box richly inlaid in the Sheraton style; consists mainly of symmetrically arranged flower and leaf ornaments on the obverse, a pseudo-spiral band of leaves and water lilies on the two diagonal obverse sides, and a cartouche-like ornament on the top encircling the metal handle.
Provenance

Source Mrs. William Esty - 1960-05-26