- An in-depth study of the relevance of tea, tea chests and caddies to
British society- Over 800 pictures of tea chests, caddies, canisters and
other tea-related items- Traces the exponential growth of tea's
popularity from the mid-17th century to the 1900s- Expertly researched
and beautifully illustrated - the perfect reference work for historians,
collectors and those working in the decorative artsTea was introduced to
Britain in the 1650s. Its popularity burgeoned over the following
two-and-a-half centuries, until it became a defining feature of British
culture.Drawing inspiration from China, British craftsmen worked to
display their skills on numerous tea-related objects, which ritualised
the process of drinking tea and imbued it with luxury status. Calling on
an array of different materials and techniques, they developed a huge
variety of canisters and lockable containers for storing and preserving
this precious commodity.Tea chests and caddies were not merely
functional items that might lurk at the back of the kitchen - they were
intended for display and were an essential accoutrement for fashionable
women. As the habit of tea drinking filtered down the social scale,
caddies were made in larger numbers and in more affordable forms.This
book brings together a great range of decorative antique tea containers,
presenting them alongside detailed historical research conducted into
their making and their place in British society across the centuries. It
also explores the materials and techniques employed. With historical art
showing tea's integration into British society, examples of old trade
cards and original designs, and a wealth of illustrations of the objects
themselves, this is a must-buy book for historians, collectors and those
interested in the decorative arts.
