Tea Tables

As discussed in a prior blog post, drinking tea in Europe and America, lead to the creation of many new objects to support this new fashion. The impact of tea taking on furniture design can be seen in the creation of the tea table. This term was used loosely in the 18th century to describe any small table designed for a household. A tea table could be rectangular or round, plain or with intricate carving on the top and knees and legs of the table. Portability was an important consideration, with tilt-top tables prized for their ability to be set against a wall and pulled out for taking tea when needed. Mahogany was the preferred wood for tea tables, as the shine of the expensive wood showed off not only the taste and wealth of the owner, but also the tea paraphernalia, especially tea sets of silver. Lacquer tables too gained popularity among the richest in England, with over 6,000 imported by the East India Company in 1700 alone.

Tilt Top table, Mahogany,American, Philadelphia 1765

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York

Tea table in situ Metropolitan Museum of Art

Table, Mahogany, with replacement stretchers and legs. English 1740-1760

The table top is thought to have been saved from another tea table and new stretchers and legs made to create a new table.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England

Tea table, Federick Hintz, England, 1737-38, Mahogany with inlaid brass and mother of pearl

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England

This table is in the V & A British Galleries and is striking when seen in person. The unusual leg design is thought to be inspired by Dutch examples.

Tea Caddies

There are many legends surrounding the origins of tea. The Chinese legend is that Emperor Shen Nung was boiling his drinking water when some leaves from a nearby tea shrub landed in the cauldron. He tasted the new drink and liked it and tea was born. The Indian legend is that Prince Bodhidharma who had converted to Buddhism went to China in the sixth century. He took to chewing leaves from the tea shrub to stay alert for prayer and meditation and started the craze for tea.

What is know as fact, is that tea was already known as a beverage during the time of Confucius (551-479BC), increasing in popularity during the Han Dynasty (206BC- 220AD). During the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD) tea became the national drink of China.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in China by sea in 1516. The Chinese allowed them to settle only at Macao. The Portuguese made much of this trade access and carried silk and other products, including tea, back to Lisbon. Competition arrived with the ships of the Dutch East India Company who also reached the coast of Japan in 1609. By 1610, the Dutch were transporting tea from Japan and China via Java back to Europe. Tea became fashionable among the wealthy Dutch merchants but was too expense for the rest of the population.

However, the biggest impact that the introduction of tea had on a European country was in England. Until 1657 teas found in England came from Dutch sources. It was not until 1669 that the English East India Company imported its first shipment to England. Charles II re-charted the English East India Company giving it exclusive rights to trade with the Far East.

The passion for tea drinking led to the new products for storing and serving tea and one of these products was the tea caddy. Tea caddies came in all materials, shapes and sizes. Larger tea caddies are often called tea chests and locks were added to these to protect the tea from theft from servants or visitors. Tea caddies are an interesting area for collecting, though there are copies of earlier styles on the market. Many auctions and stores will have tea caddies for sale. Worth noting when purchasing is the quality of the item and if a tea chest retains its original interior.

Jar and Lid, Jingdezhen, China ca.1680 Porcelain painted in underglaze blue

Tea Caddy Lead Glazed Earthenware, English, 1798

Victoria and Albert Museum

Tea Chest, Abraham Roentgen (German 1711-1793) Made: 1750-55

Oak, cedar, veneered with rosewood; brass, iron, and steel

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Tea caddy, Jennens and Bettridge (makers) 1851 Painted papier- mâché

Victoria and Albert Museum