{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O79086"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O79086/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM2642/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM2642/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AM2642","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KN5687","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O79086/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O79086","accessionNumber":"W.97-1919","objectType":"Tea canister","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br> Tea-drinking, introduced into Britain in the late 17th century, became widespread during the 18th century.  Tea leaves were expensive, so were usually kept in lockable containers. Small tea caddies – boxes with one or two fixed inner compartments – were introduced as containers for tea leaves from about 1780 onwards.  The word 'caddy' is thought to derive from the Malay word for a measure of weight (<i>kati</i>) equivalent to about half a kilogram, but is now used as a general term for all tea containers. Prior to the introduction of the  tea caddy, early tea containers were referred to as canisters, kept in locked boxes known as tea chests. Tea caddies were often highly decorative because they were placed on the table as tea was served, where they would be seen by family and guests.<br><br><b>Design & Designing</b><br>This one is decorated with fashionable Neo-classical designs.  The front has a  vase in delicate outline surrounded by narrow scrolls and swags. On the lid is a crudely-drawn flower motif surrounded by a wreath of berries and leaves.<br><br><b>Materials & Making</b><br>The caddy is veneered in hardwood, inlaid with other wood to form the design.  The shading on the leaves and drapery has been drawn with a pen.  The lock-plate is ivory.","physicalDescription":"Oval harewood tea canister inlaid in various woods on the lid with a rosette within a wreath and on the front of the box with a vase and scolls ","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"harewood","id":"x40444"},{"text":"ivory","id":"AAT11857"}],"techniques":[{"text":"marquetry","id":"AAT53853"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Marquetry in harewood and other woods, with ivory key-plate","categories":[{"text":"Tea, Coffee & Chocolate wares","id":"THES48886"},{"text":"British Galleries","id":"THES48985"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2006AM2642","2018KN5687"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"118E (VA)","id":"THES49228"},"free":"","case":"CA8","shelf":"","box":"22"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Tea caddy","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Great Britain","id":"x32019"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1780-1800","earliest":"1780-01-01","latest":"1800-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Thomas Sutton, Esq., in memory of his wife","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"12.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"14.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"7.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Made in Britain","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Tea canister, English, 1780-1800, harewood with marquetry","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nTea canisters, which were prominent on the tea table, were luxury objects that were naturally decorated in the most fashionable style. The flat ornament was particularly suited to marquetry in different coloured woods.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["W.97-1919"],"accessionNumberNum":"97","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1919,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LN0783","2019LR1268","2019LV5761"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-25","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}