Boxes of Delight

12th October 2009

Today, tea bags are likely to be stored in the box they came in. But when tea was first available in the UK, Alex Fullerton finds that intricate and expensive tea caddies were the only way to keep the leaves.

During the tea boom of the 18th century, tea leaves - a precious cargo which had travelled thousands of miles before arriving in the UK - were worth their weight in gold. Therefore it was only fitting that the expensive cargo should be stored somewhere special on arrival. Tea caddies were the ultimate solution and with their ornate and intricate decoration they became a fitting home for the exotic leaves. Caddies also often had locks so the highly priced leaves were kept safe. The word caddy is derived from the Malaysian for a weight equivalent to just over a pound, or 3/5 of a kilo, kati.

As with most well-kept antiques there is a booming market for collectors who want to buy well-kept caddies. Prices have rocketed over the past decade with some of the earliest Georgian examples going for in excess of £1000 while simple wooden caddies from the Victorian era sell for a minimum for £200. As well as being a place to store tea, co-author of Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies and Society, Antigone Clarke, reveals, "The caddies offer a social record of a fascinating era when drinking tea was reserved for the upper classes or the wealthy new middle classes". Antigone has collected and traded tea caddies for thirty years, imparting her her knowledge on BBC antiques programmes along with running a shop selling caddies, Antique Boxes at The Sign of The Hygra in Hackney, East London.

Before heading off in search of forgotten caddies with which to make a fast buck Antigone warns that buyers should "always do your homework and get expert help before buying." Keep an eye out for caddies that have been tampered with over the years and beware of older caddies which were lined with a tin and lead alloy called "tea pewter". Wisely, Antigone recommends buyers "put in some protection" against this poisonous metal. Another caddy expert, Mark Brewster, is a partner at Bazaar Boxes in Hertford.  Mark points out that "fakes have flooded the market" recently. It looks like a case of buyer beware but luckily there are clues to help avoid buying a fake... Forgeries are often lined with foil - rather than expensive lead - while the locks and hinges will probably be made from brass, rather than the skillfully curved steel on authentic items.

Caddies to keep an eye out for include early papier mache examples and rare Chinoserie-style pieces. If you've found one, well done! These are some of the most-sought after styles. Early fruit-shaped caddies can be worth more than £3000 while highly valued caddies include those made from tortoiseshell, oak, mahogany, fruit or rosewood which are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory, pewter of silver. Mark Brewster is in awe of the traditional caddy craftsmanship. "The level of skill associated with many of these caddies is incredible and we simply do not know how it was done. The craftsmanship (has been) lost in the mists of time."

The conversion of the UK to a nation of tea drinkers started the 1600s and was in full swing during the 18th century when the brew became widely available. When first introduced to the UK, tea was drunk sparingly due to its high price but wealthy owners spared no expense when ordering caddies. Even with expensive extras such as silver details the caddies were still cheaper than the priceless leaves inside - thank goodness tea has now become an affordable and egalitarian brew! The well-heeled drinkers were also careful to carry through the ritual and reverence of the tea's Chinese provenance - keeping the leaves in caddies was the perfect way to do this. Sometimes made with two or three compartments - for both black and green teas - caddies occasionally included a glass bowl for sugar too.

The first caddies made as lifestyle accessories were introduced by 1750. Shaped like little chests they often contained three metal canisters and were usually made from mahogany or, more rarely, walnut. Some caddies from this early era had secret compartments which were revealed by sliding back a side wall. By the late 18th century more households were regularly drinking tea and caddies were required in greater volume so wooden caddies were introduced. As with all trends in design at this time, caddy carpenters looked to the Classical world for inspiration and caddies from this era often echo the important Robert Adam-style of architecture.

Pre-packed tea was introduced into the UK in 1826, becoming popular in the 1880s when it was sold in up and down the country in grocery stores. Sadly, by the Edwardian era, mass tea-drinking had taken over the nation and the intricate caddies of the past became redundant and went out of style.

Today, tea caddies are much simpler than their antique ancestors. You can find versions on sale everywhere from the supermarket through to your local deli and specialist tea emporiums. Modern caddies are usually made from tin, ceramic or stone-ware. For 21st century use, receptacles with double-layered walls are best at keeping air out - and therefore keeping your tea dry and in perfect drinking condition!

Images:
Antique tea caddies: www.bazaarboxes.com
Betty's tea caddy: www.bettysbypost.com
Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies and Society: www.hygra.com
Victorian illustration: ashleylaurencheney.blogspot.com