In the mid 17th century, tea drinking was popularised in England by Catherine of Braganza and the court of Charles II. The high expense and exclusivity of tea leaves made them a product worth keeping in grand style. Whilst original tea caddies were practical metal and wooden vessels, they were formed in elegant porcelain by the mid 18th century. Today, antique tea chests and caddies can fetch high figures at auction. This article will explore the value, history and restoration of tea caddies, as well as bigger tea caskets or chests.
Above: two tea casket and caddy sets produced in England during the mid 18th century
Tea caddy history
By the end of the 17th century, much of the wealth in Britain came from the East India Company and tea was a vital part of their global trade. In imperial India, poppies were cultivated for the sole purpose of trading opium in China. This Chinese trade resulted in vast shipments of tea leaves, which could be sold at high prices once they landed in England. In the early 18th century, less than thirty pounds of tea was imported to the British Isles; this rose remarkably to over a million by the 1750s and twenty million by the 1790s.
Above: a selection of 18th century ceramic tea caddies
Whilst the coffee culture of London was predominantly catering to gentlemen, tea drinking became a much more domestic affair. This allowed for women to gather and enjoy the beverage, with the lady of the house holding the key to the tea chest. Tea was a luxury item, available only to the wealthy. Therefore, a large and luxurious tea chest was a sign of high status, as well as good taste.
Above: ointment and tea chests from the early to mid 18th century
Tea caddies kept the tea leaves safe from theft, as well as displaying them in a manner that was fitting to their expense. The word caddy comes from the term ‘catty’ meaning Chinese pound, though they may also be referred to as canisters. Whilst some caddies stand alone, many are part of a set and can be fitted perfectly into their matching case.
Above: three stoneware tea caddies produced by Meissen in 1710-15
The earliest porcelain caddies would have also been imported from China, in the popular blue and white style that was crafted for the European market. Like tea, porcelain was also an exclusive product in the 18th century, thanks in part to it being a purely Chinese product until its development in Europe by the Meissen manufactory. Tin glazed pottery was popularly produced in The Netherlands during the mid 18th century, especially from the Delft manufactory and others that carefully recreated Chinese designs.
Above: three Dutch tea caddies with Chinese inspired designs from the mid 18th century
Earlier designs for British-made tea caddies would have been crafted from inlaid wood or metal. You may also come across caskets and individual caddies with aspects of ivory, tortoiseshell, mother of pearl and ormolu detailing.
Above: a selection of marquetry ad carved wooden tea chests and caddies from the late 18th / early 19th century
Tea caddy value
Antique tea canisters can sell for thousands at auction. In 2023, a pair of 18th century Lowestoft caddies sold for almost £5,000. In 2019, a rare Meissen hexagonal tea canister from 1723 sold for over £7,000. If you are unsure about the monetary value of a caddy, it is worth speaking to your local auction house for advice.
Above: examples of tea caddies from Lowestoft, Meissen and Delft
Tea caddy care and restoration
One of the first aspects to consider when it comes to the care of historic caddies is their original use. Tannins from loose tea leaves may have built up inside over hundreds of years if they have been a practical item. If you have a rare or sentimentally important tea chest, we recommend that it is now used for display purposes only to avoid accidental damage and surface contamination. To ensure the caddies are now clear of historic contaminants, our Objects Conservator can assist in a sensitive clean. This is especially important if there are cracks or crevices that have filled up with debris and now require in-depth cleaning and stabilisation.
Breakages may have occurred in the past or recently, resulting in amateur repairs with superglue or missing areas. Both of these issues need to be addressed by our conservation team. Firstly, most household adhesives are acidic and result in a dark yellow stain. This needs to be removed and replaced with a conservation-safe alternative with a smooth and secure finish. Secondly, missing areas can be expertly recreated to add not only the original appearance of the item, but structural integrity.
Above: the restoration of a broken jar lid by our objects conservator
Caddies with loose lids should have these removed in transit or when being moved for display, this will lessen the chance of them detaching and breaking. If a caddy has a casket available, try to keep them within this for added protection, as long as the case is soft and clean. If the case needs cleaning or the lining needs to be refreshed, we can also assist you with this aspect.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about art restoration and conservation, please do not hesitate to get in touch. As part of our service we offer a nationwide collection and delivery service as well as information on worldwide shipping to our studio.
