Tea caddy

20th century

Japanese, 1895 - 1981

Tea caddies are used to store tea powders to keep them fresh. They are often prized items of tea ceremony practitioners. Created by a famed potter, this one holds two sets of silk storage bags as well as storage boxes. The multiple layers of wrapping signal the importance of the tea caddy and exemplify the Japanese tradition of wrapping.

Ceramic

Outer box: 7 1/8 x 9 3/4 x 4 1/4 in. (18.1 x 24.8 x 10.8 cm)

Inner box: 5 5/8 x 8 3/4 x 3 3/8 in. (14.3 x 22.2 x 8.6 cm)

Tea pot: 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (8.9 x 5.7 cm)

Lid diameter: 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)

Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles

2017.8

Provenance: [Kogire-kai auction, Kyoto, Japan]; purchased by Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2017

Photo: Elizabeth Mann

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Folding into Shape: Japanese Design and Crafts, Sept. 18, 2021 - Sept. 25, 2022.

Published ReferencesKOGIRE-KAI 94th Silent Auction Catalogue. Auction cat. Kyoto, Japan: Kogire-kai, December 13, 2016; vol. 2, p. 218.

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