Description

Oval Tea Caddy with Unusual Twin Wedgwood Plaques

From our Tea Caddy collection, we are thrilled to offer this Henry Clay Papier-Mache Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of oval shape decorated with crushed Mother of Pearl flakes on a green ground featuring two oval cartouches with silver-mounted frames and a central Wedgwood miniature depicting the Goddess of Health Hygieia and a Greek God to the rear. The Tea Caddy surmounted with a Silver loop handle. When opened the Tea Caddy reveals the brass faced border with a floating lid having a silver loop handle. We firmly attribute the Tea Caddy to Renowned Papier-Mache pioneer Henry Clay due to the age, characteristics and medium.

The Tea Caddy comes complete with working lock and key.

Henry Clay was an assistant to one of the pioneers in papier-mache by the name of John Baskerville who started to imitate the highly polished items, that were being imported from Japan, using lacquered papier-mache. Which would become known as “japanning”. By 1772 Clay had learned enough to start up his own business and in the same year patented a new process for making “paperware” which involved sheets of paper being soaked in paste and pressed together on a plate. Once separated from the plate they were baked in a hot stove to remove any flexibility, whilst at the same time being coated in varnish or oil. The final product was used like wood, and once coated with colour and oils could be polished to a high shine. Around 1785 Henry Clay acquired a retail premise in London’s Covent Garden. George III was one of his patrons by 1792 and Clay adopted the title “Japanner to His Majesty.”

This wonderful Henry Clay tea caddy can be also seen via our Youtube page, click HENRY CLAY TEA CADDY to view.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information