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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Feeling "Caddy"

Most of us here in Blogland are crazy for tea and all “tea equipage”. Today I’m sharing my favorite, the tea caddy.

A “caddy” includes the entire genre of tea containers produced in a variety of styles and materials from wood and brass to porcelain and glass.

When tea was first imported to England two centuries ago it was taken only in small quantities for medicinal purposes.

The high cost of tea assured its status as a luxury item and necessitated a secure container for its storage and display.

Early ones date from the Queen Anne period and were generally in a sarcophagus shape with two compartments, one for black and another for green tea.

Some larger ones even contain a mixing bowl. The compartments were lined in lead foil to keep the tea moist.

Probably the most unusual are the fruit shaped caddies: apple, pear, and even Chinese melon.

Typically carved from the fruit woods that correspond to the fruit they depict, they display well from kitchen to library and in between.

The more exotic materials, like tortoiseshell, were used in the latter part of the 18th century, forward.

These are smaller in scale and multisided single caddies. The simple keyhole escutcheon is often in a contrasting ivory design.

These fancy boxes are kept in a case. Most days my tea comes in a tea bag! Lol, but I do get to store it in this pretty (sturdy) brass caddy.

But on the days that are slow, I dip into my pretty blue willow caddy for my favorite loose leaf blend. Ahhh… perfect when I’m feeling caddy.

Hugs,

Patti 

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51 comments:

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

Great tea caddies! I am so glad that I had no trouble loading your blog today or linking up!

Julie Marie said...

Oh Patti, how beautiful they all are!... I love tea and all of the accoutrements that go with it... especially your caddies...you have such a fabulous collection... and everything is displayed so exquisitely!... thanks for sharing, xoxo Julie Marie (Hello Paula!)...

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh Patti, this is a wonderful post! I'd love to find one of these (another thing to put on my list!) And I have a teacup to link up tonight - how perfect!
Hugs, Cindy

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh goodness me, all these caddies are gorgeous!! What a special collection you have, wow, so impressed!! Thanks for hosting and having me Patti.
Hugs,
FABBY

Cottage and Broome said...

Love the tea caddies. I did not realize until recently that tea used to be kept under lock and key. A beautiful collection! Thanks for hosting, Laura

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Seriously girl...how many collections do you have?? and you know so much about all of them...I love that pear...I think you have shown it before...loved it then too!!

Faye said...

You have so much information and such interesting collections. I enjoyed reading about the caddies and had no idea tea was so valuable back then. Thanks for hosting!
Faye

La Vie Quotidienne said...

These are amazing. I only have one tea caddy, out of silver and alas I don't keep any tea in it. However I do brew a pot every morning and I always use loose tea, my favorite vendor is Peet's. They have a great selection.

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

Beautiful collection!!
Thanks for hosting :)
Greetings from Australia♥
~Pernilla

Antiques And Teacups said...

I dearly love tea caddies. What a great collection! I have winnowed my collection down to a few in use and one needing TLC. Thanks for hosting!
Ruth

Savannah Granny said...

Enjoyed seeing all of your beautiful caddies. Thank you so much for hosting.
I tried to link up and still don't know if I was successful. I always have a back link but your Linky said I didn't. I copied the link the form said I needed. It was the same as I had entered on my link back. I did it again and got to the picture. Then it wouldn't accept my picture. I then backed out and tried again, the form then said my linky already existed. I gave up. I have linked up to three other sites tonight with no trouble. Don't know if it is my computer (MAC) not prone to virus. Just thought you would like to know.
Have a great week, xo Ginger

Savannah Granny said...

Well, It was like Mr. Toad's wild ride but I am there.
Hugs, Ginger

Heirloom treasures said...

OOOh,I so love the crystal and silver one and the blue and white. Lovely post.xx

Anna at the Doll House said...

I keep my teabags in a tin but these costly caddies are a real reminder of the time when tea was to be treasured. Your tortoise shell box is the one I covert: for me it is the ultimate tea caddy.

Anna

Jeannie Marie said...

Your tea chests are lovely. What a great topic! I have a blue and white cup so similar it may be the same one. My teacups and books are the only collection that made the move with me.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Oh wow! Your tea caddies are beautiful!

Dee

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my, such a fabulous collection of tea caddys. They are all wonderful. Hugs, Marty

miss flibbertigibbet said...

Patti those are so lovely! I do really like the glass one though.
Thanks for hosting the party!
Blessings, Lorraine

Curtains in My Tree said...

I really like tea and your wooden tea caddies, the pear and the wooden locked box are wonderful.
I have only seen real ones from early centuries in the south at antique shops , I would love to have a reproduction pear

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Wow...again another wonderful history lesson. Your tea caddys are gorgeous!
Have a great day!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

You ladies have the most amazing collections, Patti! And I thought I collected a lot of things! ;)

Hope to see you at Time Travel Thursday this week. Be sure to stop in on Thursday to check out my latest giveaway.

Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

Pat@Life At Lydias House said...

Wow! You have wonderful collections! These are beautiful!

Maureen Wyatt said...

I've never seen a glass tea caddy. Thanks for the peek at your lovely collection! ~ Maureen

Kathy said...

hello, these are exquisite tea caddys! I suppose with the accessibility we have today to nearly everything - we could forget how precious every-day things once were! Thank you for being gracious hostesses!
Kathy

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hello Patti and Paula,
you amaze me every week with fabulous collections. This is another wonderful collectors theme. Those tea caddies are very spechial. I love the turtoise shell caddy. What a luxury to use them all. But this is the fun of a collector, to use the items for special events. Thank you for sharing these beauties and for hosting this wonderful party.
Best greetings, Johanna

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Wow! these are the most fabulous collection of tea caddies... the one in the pear shape is so unique and I love the blue willow one... precious! Thanks for sharing the most amazing collection and for the party. hugs,Poppy

Richard Cottrell said...

I love all your caddys. I have had many and sold them during my tenure as a antique dealer, never kept any for my self. I now feel the need to find one. Love and Sissy Kisses. Richard from My Old HIstoric House.

Fete et Fleur said...

I love historical etiquette lessons. Your caddys are spectacular and I love that you keep your loose leaf in one to use. It's he simple things in life that bring the most comfort and pleasure. A lovely way to take tea!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Nancy

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

These are stunning. The grain in the wood is so pretty and they're all so interesting. You have the best collections!!

Doni said...

Wow, what a beautiful collection! All so different and interesting. And y'all share such interesting facts too...always, love your posts!
Doni

Scrappy Pink Corner said...

Oh wow, you have some great caddies. Love the pear one. That has to be my favorite.
TFS. Ana

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

Patti, your posts are always so interesting and informative! I love the details of the tea caddies. Wow!

Have a great weekend.
Pam

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Amazing collection and information...I thoroughly enjoyed your post!

La Dolfina said...

Love you guys and your tortoise caddy!!! Thank you for coming to get me and bring me over to your lovely world, so glad to be a part of it!!!
XO

Karena said...

The tea caddies are stunning and so very special! Patti thank you for sharing!

Anita's Parisian Party
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my Forever*Cottage! so nice to visit you here - love your blog!
xo~Jill

Anonymous said...

I so enjoy reading your post! You are a wealth of information and enlighten even us seasoned "pickers". I have one caddy, at least that's what it's been called, but to me, it's awfully big for a tea caddy. I love it though, no matter what it is. xo

Diann said...

Oh, all of these are just wonderful. What a fun and pretty collection! So unique. Thank you for sharing with us at TTF this week! Have a great day.

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Patti,
Are all these beautiful pieces your treasures? They are georgeous beyond words. The wood looks like burl.. ahhhh, what a great post..
Thank you so much for visiting Bebe in Paris.. So happy you enjoyed her and her balloon.. That was such fun to create. My first hot air balloon.
Enjoy your evening,
Penny

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

A wonderful collection, Patti, and so much knowledge of the tea caddy. I feel so smart now. Thank you for sharing your tea wisdom. I think I'll go have a cup now.
Liz

sparklegem said...

What a wonderful blog you have. Your collection of tea caddies is really beautiful. I look forward to reading your future posts!

blossoms vintage chic said...

Good Morning Patti, Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words. Love your post...your collections are amazing and your vignettes are always so lovely!
Have a wonderful week...can't wait to see whats next!
xoxo
Debbie

allisamazing said...

How very interesting! I love tea history. I bought a calendar this year that has little tidbits of tea history information each month - some if it is so fascinating. Thanks for stopping by my blog and following. I have followed you back :)

The Charm of Home said...

How lovely! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

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deepika kapoor said...

I like those antic objects, Where can I buy like this?



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