Tea caddy: C.695-1928

Maker(s)

Factory: Unidentified Staffordshire Pottery

Entities

• Tea caddy
• double tea caddy

Categories

• Lead-glazed earthenware
• Coloured glaze ware

Description

Earthenware with reliefs and coloured glazes.

Earthenware, probably press-moulded, with integral relief decoration and yellow and green lead-glazes. The double tea caddy is a rectangular shape with two compartments each with a cylindrical mouth. It is decorated vertical ribs on the sides and radiating ribs on the top. The long sides are decorated with a central relief of Frederick II, King of Prussia, flanked by crossed weapons, drums and cannons and with a winged crown above his head. The crown dangles from chains, which are held by winged, cherub-like figures on the top of the caddy. The shorter sides are moulded with a lattice pattern in the centre of which is an eagle, a Prussian symbol, with its wings outstretched.

Notes

History note: Provenance unidentified before Mr Stoner, London; Mr Stoner sold for £11 on 16 April 1917 to Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

18th Century, Mid
Circa 1756 CE - Circa 1765 CE

Note

Frederick II of Prussia, often called Frederick the Great, was an ally of Britain in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) and was highly successful in waging war against his continental neighbours; he was regarded as a hero in Britain, prompting the production of ceramics decorated with his image. There is an example of a coloured glazed teapot with a comparable portrait of Frederick, also accompanied by Prussian Eagles, on a teapot in the Victoria & Albert Museum (C.19&A-1938).