The Designs of Georgian Tea Caddies This essay provides a brief introduction to the history of the arrival of tea into England and the subsequent development of the use and design of tea caddies during the Georgian and Regency periods. The essay concludes with the examination of the designs of two Georgian tea caddies.
Introduction of Tea into England
Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of King Charles II, introduced tea drinking to the English Royal Court in 1662. This had a huge influence on the popularity of tea drinking within the aristocracy across England ("History of Tea : England", 2017). Tea was first imported from China into England in the middle of the 17th century and the first account of the sale of tea was recorded in 1657 at the coffee house of Thomas Garway in Exchange Alley, London. He sold both liquid and dry tea to the public (ROSS, 2017). Tea was not only pleasant to drink but was also considered to be greatly beneficial to health (Clarke & O'Kelly, 2003). Initially, tea was only available through coffee houses, apothecaries and snuff shops. It was heavily taxed and an extremely expensive commodity. Because of its high value, during the second half of the 18th century, the smuggling of tea became highly prolific. Smuggled teas were often adulterated with other substances and …show more content…
They had a locking chest type construction and contained two or three removable metal containers to hold teas. The two main styles of these caddies were either plain or rococo which was at the height of fashionable design in the 1760’s. These caddies were mounted with a handle to the lid and surface mounted metal escutcheons. Rococo boxes had decorative gilded brass mounts and feet and were occasionally bombe shaped. Some of these caddies had a secret compartment which could be accessed by a sliding side section (Clarke & O'Kelly,
Introduction of Tea into England
Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of King Charles II, introduced tea drinking to the English Royal Court in 1662. This had a huge influence on the popularity of tea drinking within the aristocracy across England ("History of Tea : England", 2017). Tea was first imported from China into England in the middle of the 17th century and the first account of the sale of tea was recorded in 1657 at the coffee house of Thomas Garway in Exchange Alley, London. He sold both liquid and dry tea to the public (ROSS, 2017). Tea was not only pleasant to drink but was also considered to be greatly beneficial to health (Clarke & O'Kelly, 2003). Initially, tea was only available through coffee houses, apothecaries and snuff shops. It was heavily taxed and an extremely expensive commodity. Because of its high value, during the second half of the 18th century, the smuggling of tea became highly prolific. Smuggled teas were often adulterated with other substances and …show more content…
They had a locking chest type construction and contained two or three removable metal containers to hold teas. The two main styles of these caddies were either plain or rococo which was at the height of fashionable design in the 1760’s. These caddies were mounted with a handle to the lid and surface mounted metal escutcheons. Rococo boxes had decorative gilded brass mounts and feet and were occasionally bombe shaped. Some of these caddies had a secret compartment which could be accessed by a sliding side section (Clarke & O'Kelly,