Tea Caddies

Terms

Tea Caddies
Brass
Lead
Pewter
Wood

Dimensions10.15 × 12.69 × 17.77 cm (4 × 5 × 7 in.)

Credit LineGift of Cummings E. Davis (1886)

Object numberH1101

DescriptionSmall lacquered box (probably a tea caddy) with hinged lid, two lead canisters with removeable covers inside. Corners of box angled (octagonal). Box angled in at bottom, edge of lid curved. Lock at front of box, key in right canister. Box black with gold designs: on lid Chinese building with trees and two figures (previously in colors); on front two buildings with trees; floral designs on other sides of box. Inside box are two canisters of very thin sheet lead or pewter, shaped to fit inside exactly. Soldered together. In center of top of each is round hole and rim for cover; cover on one fits inside rim with clay handle, other fits over rim. Stamped decoration on tops: borders of circles and waves with floral designs. Cover without handle has similar stamped design.