How was a tea caddy used?
A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea. When first introduced to Europe from Asia, tea was extremely expensive, and kept under lock and key. The containers used were often expensive and decorative, to fit in with the rest of a drawing-room or other reception room.
Why were tea caddies lined with lead?
As the eighteenth century progressed and demand rose, the inevitable result was greed for more profits by more people – and especially the Exchequer. Because it was such a valuable commodity those who could afford to buy it wanted to preserve its quality and keep it safe, which leads to The Tea Caddy.
Where did tea caddy originate?
caddy, container for tea. A corrupt form of the Malay kati, a weight of a little more than a pound (or about half a kilogram), the word was applied first to porcelain jars filled with tea and imported into England from China.
Why are tea caddies so expensive?
Tea caddies like these were produced into the early 1800s. These command high prices because of their novelty, and reproductions are often passed off as the real thing. Tea became increasingly accessible in the 19th century after India entered the tea trade.
What is a tea caddy spoon?
A caddy spoon is a spoon used for measuring out tea in the form of dried tea leaves. Traditionally made of silver, they were in common use in the 19th century, when tea was a more expensive commodity.
Why is a tea caddy called a caddy?
Where Does the Caddy Get Its Name? The term ‘caddy’ is derived from the Chinese word ‘catty’, a Chinese pound, which is a unit of weight equivalent to 600 grams. This is also the measurement by which tea used to be sold. The English picked up the word and started using the word caddy to mean a container for tea.
How was tea stored in the 1800s?
The wooden interiors were lined with a tin-lead alloy to seal off the wood from the tea and keep dampness and air out. Sometimes tin or pewter boxes were fitted to the tea chests. These early tea chests were generally noteworthy because of high quality timbers and subtle forms.
Why was tea locked up?
Normally the tea would be placed in ornate silver tea caddies and then locked in a box to prevent theft. Often there was a third container in the box which some experts believe was used for blending tea.
How was tea stored in 1700s?
Tea Storage – Late 17th to mid 18th Century “tea boxes” were being advertised by cabinetmakers. These tea boxes were designed to hold canisters in wood or metal. As tea was a valuable commodity, tea boxes came with lock and key, lest the tea be pilfered.
What is the shell shaped spoon for?
A sugar spoon is a piece of cutlery used for serving granulated sugar. This type of spoon resembles a teaspoon, except that the bowl is deeper and often molded in the shape of a sea shell, giving it the name sugar shell. Sterling silver sugar spoons are used with formal silver coffee or tea sets.
What does it mean when someone is Caddy?
If you say that someone is being catty, you mean that they are being unpleasant and unkind. [informal] catty remarks. Synonyms: spiteful, mean [informal], malicious, malevolent More Synonyms of catty.
When was the first tea caddy made?
Made in London in 1767 by Augustin Le Sage. The Tea Caddy, which is cube shaped in form, is modelled to… An exceptional, fine and impressive antique English George V sterling silver tea caddy; an addition to our antique silver tea ware collection.
What kind of tea caddy was used in Regency England?
Regency parcel ebonized burl wood tea caddy, probably amboyna or walnut, 19th century, of sarcophagus form, the box interior fitted with two lidded zinc-lined tea canisters and a gla… A two compartment English Regency tea caddy with hinged lid. The coffered lid with walnut panels with mahogany trim.
What is an octagonal tea caddy?
The octagonal late Georgian satinwood caddy (Fig. 9) is fairly plain on its vertical surfaces but beautifully inlaid on its top (Fig 10). Larger Tea Caddies were made throughout the 19th Century, incorporating two lidded smaller caddies positioned either side of a fine cut glass bowl.
What kind of tea caddy has bone feet?
19th century English tortoise shell tea caddy with bone feet and interior. Great 19th century English tortoise shell tea caddy with bone feet and interior. Fashioned in the style of Boulle, the caddy is elaborately inlaid. This is a finely fashioned piece with original interior. The caddy is raised upon 4 ball feet.