A late 18th century rolled
paper tea caddy.
Wooden frames in mahogany or oak were supplied undecorated
during the last part of the 18th and the first part of the 19th century.
These provided the ladies of the time with a genteel pastime; they decorated
them with rolled up pieces of paper in different patterns. After being rolled
up, the papers were cut in short lengths and stuck on the wooden frame.
Colours
and edge gilding made the patterns stand out in a filigree effect. The centres
were sometimes decorated with panels of watercolour or print.
Sometimes the
whole caddy was covered in glass, which acted as a protection. |