Tea caddy with a green brown glaze
anonymous; anonymous
c. 1400 - c. 1950
Medium
turning
Dimensions
6.6; 6.5
About this artwork
height 6.6 cm x diameter 6.5 cm
Art Historical Context
This delicate tea caddy, measuring just 6.6 cm in height and 6.5 cm in diameter, exemplifies artistry of anonymous craftsmen working between circa 1400 and 1950. Crafted using turning technique—likely on a lathe for its precise, symmetrical form—the vessel features a distinctive green-brown glaze that lends it an earthy, timeless elegance. Such small-scale objects were essential for storing precious tea leaves, a luxury commodity that symbolized status and hospitality across cultures. Tea caddies like this one highlight the global spread of tea culture, from its origins in East Asia to its em...