Tea caddy and cover

ca. 1793

Place madeChina, Asia

Porcelain

Overall: 5 1/2 × 3 1/4 × 1 1/4 in. (14 × 8.3 × 3.2 cm)

Gift of Mrs. Carrie E. Karstens

1927.17ab

This tea caddy was given by Clarkson Crolius (1773-1843) to Elizabeth Meyer (ca. 1774-1856) at the time of their marriage in 1793. Crolius was a New York potter and politician. Caddies such as this were used to store precious tea leaves.

DescriptionPorcelain tea caddy and cover; decorated with band of blue enamel with gold stars around shoulders; a band of blue enamel linked diamonds and gilt circles around base; two birds facing each other, each holding a flower are in an oval cartouche on either side of the caddy; the lid has a berry knop and blue leaf.

ClassificationsCERAMICS