Pair of tea caddies 1751 - 1752

These tea caddies were made by Samuel Taylor in the 18th century, using silver. The bulbous form and intricate decoration are only possible because of silver's unique qualities. It’s highly malleable, meaning it can be easily shaped without breaking. The silversmith would have used hammers and stakes to form the body of the caddy. Then, they’d have employed chasing and repoussé techniques to create the raised floral motifs, pushing the metal from the inside and outside. Note the crispness of the details and the overall high level of refinement. The production of such an object speaks to the availability of materials, skilled labor, and the taste for luxury. These caddies were designed for the consumption of tea, which itself was tied to colonial trade routes, labor exploitation, and global economies. When looking at objects like these, it’s easy to get lost in the aesthetics, but it’s important to remember that the materials, making, and historical context are all intertwined and crucial to understanding the full meaning of the artwork.