Items Similar to Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12
Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box
$2,500
£1,912.97
€2,189.41
CA$3,530.66
A$3,837.22
CHF 2,056.40
MX$46,590.66
NOK 25,816.84
SEK 23,941.20
DKK 16,352.19
About the Item
Charming Utility: A Swansea Pearlware Prattware Covered Tea Caddy Box, c. 1800-1820
This is an exceptional example of an early 19th-century Pearlware Tea Caddy Box, distinguished by its delightful Prattware enamel decoration. Attributed to the prominent Cambrian Pottery in Swansea, Wales, this box perfectly illustrates the transition in English pottery from traditional Delftware to the refined creamware and pearlware popular during the Georgian era.
The rectangular, footed form is practical and elegant. The subtle bluish tint of the Pearlware glaze provides a beautiful, luminous ground for the lively, hand-painted decoration. The box is adorned with continuous Pratt colors—vibrant shades of ochre, orange, cobalt blue, and leaf green—depicting delicate floral sprays on its sides and a charming basket of flowers on its principal face.
Designed for function, the interior features a fixed central divider creating two distinct compartments. This allowed the owner to store two different, expensive tea varieties, such as green and black tea, while the fitted lid ensured both were kept fresh. The box stands on four small, waisted feet and is finished with a loop handle on the cover.
Dimensions: 5 1/2 inches high x 5 inches wide x 3 1/2 inches deep (13.97cm high x 12.7cm wide x 8.89cm deep).
Marks: Faint scratch marks, possibly factory or batch numbers, "59" on the cover and "62" on the base.
Condition: Very good antique condition; a tiny frit (glaze chip) is noted below the rim line on one side.
Historical Context and References
1. The Prattware Palette and Style
The term "Prattware" refers to ceramics decorated with a distinctive, often high-relief molded form painted with a limited palette of high-fired, opaque colors, predominantly blue, ochre (orange/yellow), green, and brown. While the technique originated with the Pratt family potters, the style was widely adopted by numerous factories across England and Wales.
This caddy is an excellent example of the later, less molded, hand-painted floral style of Prattware on a flat Pearlware surface.
2. Attribution to Swansea's Cambrian Pottery
The Cambrian Pottery in Swansea, Wales, was one of the most prolific producers of domestic pearlware and creamware decorated in the Pratt style during this period, particularly under the ownership of Lewis Weston Dillwyn. The specific painting style and color usage align strongly with known Swansea production.
3. The Function of the Double Tea Caddy
In the early 19th century, tea was still a luxury item, often kept locked away in a tea caddy (or tea chest) to prevent servants from pilfering the costly leaves. A double caddy was an aristocratic or well-to-do domestic necessity, allowing the fashionable choice between different tea varieties for guests or private consumption.
References for Comparison
For detailed context on this style and attribution, consult:
Grigsby, Leslie (1987). English Pottery 1650-1800: The Henry H. Weldon Collection. Sotheby’s Publications. (For general context on Pearlware and the Pratt palette.)
Grant, Captain M.H. (1969). The Makers of Black Basaltes, Prattware, and Fenton. The Ceramic Book Company. (Classic reference on Prattware decoration.)
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and other major collections of British ceramics frequently feature similar Swansea and Prattware examples for stylistic comparison.
(Ref: NY10125-nrrr)
- Dimensions:Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 5 in (12.7 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
- Style:Georgian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1800-1820
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Downingtown, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: NY10125-nrrr1stDibs: LU861031097392
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1916
1stDibs seller since 2009
431 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
The Art and Antique Dealers League of AmericaAntiques Associations Members
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Downingtown, PA
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllAntique English Bristol Pearlware Covered Botanical Tooth Brush Holder Box
Located in Downingtown, PA
Bristol Pearlware covered tooth brush holder box decorated with flowers,
circa 1820
The unusual oval form with a pieced cover was for two toothbrushes ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Pottery
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
English Pottery Game Tureen, 19th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
English pottery game tureen,
19th century
The oval game tureen and cover has painted molded mother bird and chick to the center of each side and large molded tulips to each side. Scattered across the body and cover are other molded flowers and leaves naturalistically.
Dimensions: 7 1/2 inches height x 11 1/4 inches width x 8 3/4 inches
Game pie dishes became popular in the 1800s during Napoleon's blockade of British ports. Flour became scarce, game pie dishes resembling pie crust came into their own and have remained popular ever since. William Jesse in his 1844 biography of Beau Brummel...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Serving Pieces
Materials
Pottery
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Botanical Soup Tureen
Cover
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain European Flower Botanical Soup Tureen & Cover,
Circa 1780
The Chinese Export porcelain tureen and cover are well painted with large European bouquets of ...
Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Soup Tureens
Materials
Porcelain
18th Century English Whieldon-Type Creamware Tortoiseshell Glaze Tea Caddy
By Thomas Whieldon Pottery
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Creamware Tortoiseshell glaze tea caddy,
Whieldon-type,
With Silver Cover,
circa 1770
The creamware large tea caddy has a tortoiseshell d...
Category
Antique 1760s English Georgian Pottery
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
18th Century Staffordshire Creamware Cauliflower Tea Caddy
By William Greatbatch
Located in Downingtown, PA
Naturalistic Whimsy: Rare Staffordshire Creamware "Cauliflower" Tea Caddy
(c. 1760)
An exceptional mid-18th-century Staffordshire creamware tea caddy (or tea canister), brilliantly ...
Category
Antique 1760s English Georgian Pottery
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
18th Century Creamware Pottery Red-Printed Tea Caddy
Located in Downingtown, PA
Rustic Charm in Refined Form: An 18th-Century Creamware Red-Printed Tea Caddy,
Circa 1765–75
This charming 18th-century creamware tea caddy, also known as a teapoy, is a beautiful ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Creamware
You May Also Like
Antique 18c/19c English or French Enamel Bronze Mounted Tea Caddy Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique enamel tea caddy.
With a gilt bronze mounted lid.
In the South Staffordshire manner.
Decorated with floral sprays and rocaille swags to all sides.
Likely...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Georgian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
French Hand Painted Floral Porcelain Trinket Box
By Limoges
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Porcelain Trinket Box painted in purples, gold, green and royal blue. Upon opening the box there is a cute flower design inside the lid. This piece would certainly be a fant...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold, Brass
Vintage Richard Ginori Porcelain Fiesole Lidded Box
By Richard Ginori
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage porcelain dresser box feature cylinder shaped form with round lid, decorated in Fiesole pattern with rectangular romantic landscape of countryside in Tuscany; a castle, small...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
$360 Sale Price
20% Off
English Antique Georgian Henry Clay Papier Mache Tea Caddy
By Henry Clay
Located in Northampton, GB
Featuring Countryside Scenes
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this Papier Mache Tea Caddy by Henry Clay. The Henry Clay Tea Caddy of oval ...
Category
Antique Early 1800s English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Paper
Antique English Regency Period and Styled Hand Painted Toleware Tea Caddy
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique English toleware tea caddy dates to circa 1820 and done in the period Regency style. This tea caddy is constructed of tin with a cast i...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Tea Caddies
Materials
Metal
Vintage Porcelain Casket by Weimar, Germany
By Weimar Porcelain
Located in Bastogne, BE
Porcelain casket on legs from Weimar Manufactory. 1970s. Germany.
The box is almost like a woman's handbag – you open it and you can get lost in e...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
More Ways To Browse
Antique Furniture Swansea
Footed Tea Caddy
Botanical Pearlware
Antique Terracotta Jug
French Pottery Oil
Mocha Ware
Robert Maxwell Ceramics
Roseville Art Pottery
Spode Greek
18th Century Italian Pottery
American Glass Gallery
French Green Jug
Hand Thrown Pottery
Oaxaca Black Clay
Provence Pottery
Slipware
Antique Cow Creamer
Green Glazed Pottery Jar