Terms and conditions of use
Covered kettle
(c. 1790)
- Medium
- stoneware
- Measurements
- 13.6 × 17.2 × 15.8 cm
- Accession Number
- 2024.381.a-b
- Department
- International Decorative Arts
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Patricia Begg OAM Bequest, 2024
© Public Domain - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
In England tea was often taken in the mid afternoon, together with a light repast, to fill the gap between a late-morning breakfast and the early evening meal. Tea was one of the most expensive household commodities, and was kept under lock and key by the lady of the house. Bohea (a black oolong tea) and green tea were stored in silver canisters in a wooden caddy along with a mixing bowl. Once the tea equipage had been brought into the room, the hot-water kettle placed on its stand and the service brought on a tray, the tea was dispensed by the lady of the house using the lid of the canister as a measure. Tea was drunk with milk and sugar, the sugar kept in a solid loaf and broken into pieces to be served in a lidded sugar bowl.