Tea caddy

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This earthenware tea caddy was possibly made at one of the potteries in Prestonpans in East Lothian or Portobello in Midlothian. It dates from the early 19th century and would have used to store loose tea.

This side of the caddy is decorated with an applied moulded figure of a seated man holding a tankard. The caddy stopper is in the form of a flower head.

In Scotland, tea was a fashionable drink by the early 18th century. It was, however, very expensive and this was reflected in the relatively small size of 18th century teapots. In the 19th century, tea became cheaper and more available to the working classes.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-871-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEK 376
• Date: Early 19th century
  
• Material: Cream coloured earthenware with serpentine
  Tea caddy / lid
  
• Dimensions: 160 mm total H x 70 mm W; 20 mm (lid as seen)
  
• What: Tea caddy / lid
  
• Subject: Post-medieval pottery and porcelain (NMAS Classification)
  
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• Description: Cream coloured earthenware tea caddy with serpentine shoulders set on a flat front and back, and curved sides, with an applied moulded figure of a seated man, early 19th century
  
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