This hexagonal tea caddy is made of jasper, a reddish-brown stone, with enamel decorations. The six sides and top of this tea caddy are mottled copper and brown jasper and are rimmed at each corner, along the top and bottom with a delicate blue, pink and white floral pattern placed on top of a warm metal base. Some of this trim is missing, particularly around the bottom and the top. The lid has a raised circular section with jasper inlaid at the top and on the sides.
Italian
Hexagonal Tea Caddy,
17th century
Jasper with enamel
Object details
Accession number
U18s33.a-b
Primary Creator
Italian
Full title
Hexagonal Tea Caddy
Creation Date
17th century
Provenance
Purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner from the antique dealer Consiglio Ricchetti, Venice on 2 September 1897 for 640 lire. (as Italian, dated 17th century)
Display Media
Jasper with enamel
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Little Salon
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.