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Tea Caddy

Dateca.1785-1800

Maker Joseph Richardson Jr. (1752 - 1831)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver, brass, and steel

DimensionsOverall height: 4 3/4"; Height of body: 3 11/16": Top and bottom: 4 11/16" x 3 9/16"

Credit LineBequest of Joseph H. and June S. Hennage

Object number2020-272

DescriptionOval tea caddy with flat base, flat top, and straight sides. Body is seamed under the left side and has stepped and beaded top and bottom rims. The lock and keyhole are centered on the top front of the body and its flat lid is attached by a five-knuckle hinge. A bead-edged urn-shaped finial is secured to the center of the lid by its threaded post and a concave-sided square nut. Front engraved with a bright-cut oval wreath tied with a bow and flanked by festoons and swags also tied with bows. Within the wreath are the initials "FC" in floral script below a suspended canopy. Stars flank the keyhole which is engraved with rows of dots. Lid engraved with rows of small dots flanking a finely wriggled line which undulates through an offset double-row of larger, possibly punched dots.
Label TextFirst appearing in the 1720s, silver "caddies" were beautifully wrought containers built with a lock to protect their precious contents from tea thieves. Few American tea caddies were ever made, and this one may be the only known example by Richardson, one of Philadelphia’s most talented silversmiths. With its expertly cut engraving and its delicate ornament, this caddy is a superlative example of the form.
InscribedBottom engraved "H. Morris to A. Clifford." in a later script, and scratched with the weight of 12 oz. 8 dwt. in two lines with the abbreviations in superscript. Additionally, a now-illegible name (?) is also scratched into the bottom.
MarkingsBottom struck twice with "J•R" in relief within a rectangle.
ProvenanceChristie's (New York), June 2, 1983, Lot 64c.
The Collection of May and Howard Joynt, sold by Christie's (New York) January 19, 1990, Lot 249. Purchased by Shrubsole (New York) on behalf of the Hennages.