T 4
Collection
Treen
Brief description
Tea caddy made from solid and veneered mahogany and deal, with barber pole edge beading and a brass handle, the interior with three compartments containing two metal canisters, made c.1770.
Object name
tea caddy
Object number
T 4
Location
On Display
Production date
c.1770 (manufactured)
Period
Georgian (1714-1837)
Material
mahogany
deal
brass
bone
metal
fabric
mahogany veneer
deal
brass
bone
metal
fabric
mahogany veneer
Technique
carved
moulded
veneered
inlaid
lined
woven
inscribed
screwed
moulded
veneered
inlaid
lined
woven
inscribed
screwed
Physical description
Mahogany tea caddy of rectangular form the coved lid with barber pole edge beading and a brass carrying handle. The interior of the caddy has three compartments with two metal canisters and a void central compartment on ogee bracket feet.
The lid is hinged to the body with two brass hinges each fixed with four brass screws, two on each side. The lid is of mitred construction of veneered deal and solid mahogany. The raised cove is carved out of the solid wood. The handle is secured by self-tapping pillar bolts. The caddy is made of deal substrate mitred with mahogany veneers, and the dividers are of mahogany housed in grooves. The base moulding is applied solid mahogany; the feet are solid mahogany mitred and glued to the base of the caddy.
The overall colour of the wood is a rich mahogany brown. The handle appears to be original. There are some losses to the edge beading on the top. There is a repair to the front left corner of the top. The cloth lining is missing to inside of lid, with remains of glue and of edge gimp still adhering. The lock hasp is detached, and is currently inside the caddy. The lid of one of the canisters is missing. The bone diamond-shaped escutcheon is possibly original. The supporting block is missing its back right foot. There is a handwritten inscription inside the lid, reading, 'Jane Chappell Harlestone Norfolk 1840'.
The lid is hinged to the body with two brass hinges each fixed with four brass screws, two on each side. The lid is of mitred construction of veneered deal and solid mahogany. The raised cove is carved out of the solid wood. The handle is secured by self-tapping pillar bolts. The caddy is made of deal substrate mitred with mahogany veneers, and the dividers are of mahogany housed in grooves. The base moulding is applied solid mahogany; the feet are solid mahogany mitred and glued to the base of the caddy.
The overall colour of the wood is a rich mahogany brown. The handle appears to be original. There are some losses to the edge beading on the top. There is a repair to the front left corner of the top. The cloth lining is missing to inside of lid, with remains of glue and of edge gimp still adhering. The lock hasp is detached, and is currently inside the caddy. The lid of one of the canisters is missing. The bone diamond-shaped escutcheon is possibly original. The supporting block is missing its back right foot. There is a handwritten inscription inside the lid, reading, 'Jane Chappell Harlestone Norfolk 1840'.
Dimensions
Depth: 14cm
Height: 16cm
Width: 24.8cm
Height: 16cm
Width: 24.8cm
Website keywords
serving drink
tea, coffee and chocolate drinking
tea, coffee and chocolate drinking
Label
Label text for ‘A taste of China’ case, Information Bay 3, Geffrye Museum, 2010:
Tea caddy, 1740–1780
Mahogany, with later escutcheon
Tea was stored in lockable tea caddies containing canisters for different types. This served the dual purpose of keeping the tea-leaves fresh for longer and preventing servants from having access to them without the mistress of the house being present. The most common teas were Bohea (black) and Hyson (green).
Tea caddy, 1740–1780
Mahogany, with later escutcheon
Tea was stored in lockable tea caddies containing canisters for different types. This served the dual purpose of keeping the tea-leaves fresh for longer and preventing servants from having access to them without the mistress of the house being present. The most common teas were Bohea (black) and Hyson (green).
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© Museum of the Home, London
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