Skip to main content
Artist/Maker (1751 - 1824)

Tea caddy

ca. 1790
Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America
Silver
Overall: 4 1/2 × 6 3/8 × 4 3/4 in., 19 oz (troy) 9 dwt (11.4 × 16.2 × 12.1 cm, 605 g)
Gift of Mrs. Waldron Phoenix Belknap Sr.; Collection of Waldron Phoenix Belknap Jr.
1950.343ab
Loose, dried tea leaves were frequently stored in luxurious boxes or caddies displayed on tea tables sometimes equipped with locks that protected against theft by servants and prohibited access even within a household. The sophisticated engraved ornament of this caddy recalls the Neoclassical inlaid motifs that decorated late eighteenth-century furniture, tea trays, and knife cases.
DescriptionOval body with straight sides, seamed down the left side; beaded bands applied around the base and rim; flat, hinged lid with a hinged, bail handle finial applied in the center; octagon engraved around the finial; engraved decorative band around the edge of the lid; bright-cut and engraved decorative bands around the base and below the rim; two circular reserves engraved on each side of the body; front reserve engraved with a swaged shield; chamfered rectangles engraved on the sides with emblems of Cupid and the chase, hanging, crossed horn and bow and arrow over a floral motif; floral swags engraved between the rectangles and the reserves; escutcheon above the front reserve; maker's marks on the base. Silver plated key with a hollow cylinder and loop finial.
MarkingsStamped on base: "D. V. VOORHIS" roman capitals in a rectangle on each side of an American eagle in a square
ProvenanceOriginal owner unknown; to Waldron Phoenix Belknap, Jr. (1899-1949); to his mother, Mrs. Waldron Phoenix Belknap, Sr. (1874-1959), the donor.
ClassificationsSILVER
Teapot
Van Voorhis & Schanck
ca. 1791
1950.357
Teapot
Peter & Ann Bateman
1790–1791
1974.4
Coffee biggin on a stand
John Edwards III
biggin 1804/1805; stand 1868/69
1939.153a-c
Teapot
Peter & Ann Bateman
1791–1792
1940.348a
Teapot
Peter & Ann Bateman
1792-1793
1941.902
Teapot
John Vernon
ca. 1787
1976.29a
Sugar bowl with lid
Peter & Ann Bateman
1791–1792
1940.348bc
Joseph and Teunis D. DuBois
1795–1797
1911.37a
Coffeepot
William Forbes
ca. 1840
1950.259a
Teapot
Hugh Wishart
ca. 1800
1937.191
Sugar bowl with lid
William G. Forbes
ca. 1810
1970.5a.1-2
Sugar bowl
Unidentified maker
ca. 1800
1937.189ab