Victorian Antique Silver Caddy Set in a Box, London 1838.

Object Description

A magnificent pair of silver tea caddies, for green and black tea, with hinged, domed covers and a fitted wooden carrying case with brass handle and cartouche. The boxes are extensively hand chased with Chinoiserie figural scenes.

Total silver weight 957g, 30.7 troy oz.
Height of caddies 12.5cm, 4.9 ins. Lid 8.3cm x 9.2cm. Length of case 22.3cm.
London 1838.
Maker Joseph and John Angell.
Sterling silver.

Flat chased silver “in the Chinese taste” enjoyed a brief period of remarkable popularity from the 1670’s to the early Queen Anne period. This charming decoration of Chinese figures, birds, foliage etc. is rarely found and adds considerably to the piece. View our article on chinoiserie silver.

Marks. Each is stamped underneath with a full set of matching English silver hallmarks, the lid with lion and maker’s mark. A protective layer of Sellotape had been applied in the past to protect the hallmarks and has left some black marks in this area. This is completely superficial and will gradually peel away.

Maker: Joseph Angell

Originally a firm of manufacturing silversmiths, the Angell family business became one of the largest and most important silver and jewellery manufacturers and retailers in London in the mid 19th century. They participated in many major exhibitions worldwide and won many awards of excellence.

The founder, Joseph Angell, was apprenticed to Henry Nutting 1796, free 1804. First mark entered as plateworker 1811, second marks 1824. Third in partnership with his brother John Angell (apprenticed to William Elliott 1799, free 1807) in 1831. In circa 1837 Joseph’s son Joseph joined the business which became Angell, Son & Angell.

In 1840 John Angell left and Joseph Angell senior and junior continued with a new mark (JA over JA). Joseph junior continued in his own name after his father’s retirement in 1848, participating in many major exhibitions and winning many awards of excellence, particularly for his enamel work. 1867-76 he was in partnership with John Browne after which he traded as Angell & Co. John Angell’s son, John Charles Angell was apprenticed to his father 1825, free 1832. He entered his first mark together with his brother George in 1840. George continued the business after John’s death in 1850 as George Angell & Co (1852-1860). George died in 1884 when the firm was taken over by Frederick Courthope who continued to trade under the same name until 1889.

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Object History

This tea caddy set was retailed in the 1950’s by the Court Jewellers C & H Wartski.

Object Literature

Tea in the early 18th Century was expensive, and also there was a tax on tea, so early tea caddies were small and made in precious materials such as silver, shagreen or tortoiseshell which reflected the valuable contents within. A Tea Caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea. The word is believed to be derived from “catty”, the Chinese pound, equal to about a pound and a third avoirdupois. The earliest examples that came to Europe were Chinese tea canisters in blue and white porcelain with china lids or stoppers. Some of the earliest silver examples have sliding bases (or tops) and the cap was used for measuring the tea. By the mid 18th century matching sets were available, with two caddies (for green and black tea) and a sugar bowl, all fitted into a wooden or shagreen case, often with silver mounts.

Object Condition

The silver tea containers are both in very good condition with minimal signs of wear commensurate with age, the hinges work well and are fully functional. The wooden box has a lovely patina, the condition is very good, it has the original key, there are two wooden trims missing from one side and the back edge of the lid, the small piece of Sellotape at the front is securing a piece of veneer.

Object Details