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Tea Caddy
Marked by: Samuel Taylor (free 1744)
English (London)
1754–55
Object Place: Europe, London, England
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
H. 5 in.; D. 3 1/4 in.
Weight: 1,434.5 gm (46 oz 2 dwt)
Weight: 1,434.5 gm (46 oz 2 dwt)
Credit Line
Gift of the heirs of Miss Janet Ritchie
Accession Number1985.199a-b
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionThe tea cansiters are bombé in form, resting on a molded cast foot decorated with a band of cast and chased with spiraling flutes, with chased flowers filling the lobes. An asymetrical cartouche is reserved at the front of each. The high rim is formed from seamed sheet and chased with flowers over the seam. The domed cover has a bezel, a tooled rim and a finial in the form of a flower and stem. It is chased with spiraling flutes and flowers. The inverted pear-shaped sugar box is constructed and decorated in the same way. The canisters are identical in design; the sugar box is similar but has broader proportions. The inverted pear-shaped body rests on a circular domed foot with a band of flowers and foliage against a matted ground. The body is chased with spiral fluting alternating with bands of flowers. There is a cast finial in the form of a flower and a tooled rim.
Marks
On underside of each canister, maker's mark ST (Grimwade 2645); lion passant (repeated on bezel of each cover); date letter s; leopard's head crowned.
InscriptionsEngraved in the cartouche on each canister, SE
ProvenanceAccording to tradition, given by William Shirley (1694-1771) to an ancestor of Andrew Montgomery Ritchie, by descent to Miss Janet Ritchie, Gift of the heirs of Miss Janet Ritchie to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 24, 1985)