Cleveland Museum of Art

Tea Caddy

Paul Jacques de Lamerie

Date

1741–1742

Medium

silver gilt

Culture

England, London, 18th century

Department

Decorative Art and Design

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

In the 1600s and 1700s, silver played a significant role in projecting wealth, status, power, and ritual in British life. Tea was likewise a highly valued commodity, and as such, silver caddies like this one were designed to display the social distinction of its owner. This canister’s prominently sloping shoulders were designed by Paul Jacques de Lamerie in the early 1730s and became a standard form for tea caddies by the end of the decade. The curving shape of this tea caddy is echoed by the scrolling lines and swirling naturalistic ornament on all four sides.

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