English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, Thomas Watson and Company, Sheffield, 1798-1799
With scalloped, brightcut-engraved body.
Tea caddies, originally known as tea canisters, are receptacles used to store loose tea leaves. Tea was a valuable commodity imported from China and kept under lock. The most affluent families housed their canisters, one for black tea and one for green, in locking wooden cases. Tea caddies fitted with locks, like this one, did not reside in an outer case.
Full marks on bottom.
6" height, 5 1/2" length, 3 1/2" width. 13.28 troy ounces.
