Tea caddy (one of a pair)
Unknown
early 19th century · Pine base, cover; paper, silk · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
The term caddy, now used for any tea container, derived from the Eastern word kati, meaning about 12/3 pounds. Caddies were ornamental boxes fitted with one- or two-lidded compartments. Of elliptical shape, this delicate example is decorated with rolled paperwork. The central medallion shows a young girl with a lamb painted on silk. During the late eighteenth century it became a favorite pastime for young ladies to decorate objects in this manner, the materials being available for this purpose from professional suppliers. The color is remarkably fresh since the tea caddy has been kept in its original cardboard box.
- Artist
- Unknown
- Date
- early 19th century
- Medium
- Pine base, cover; paper, silk
- Culture
- British
- Department
- European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
- Credit line
- Bequest of Irwin Untermyer, 1973
