Gorham Antique Copper and Applied Silver Tea Caddy, Providence, RI, 1881

This is a small and striking tea caddy. Due to its warm colors of varying hues, copper became quite fashionable. It also made a dramatic background for silver appliques.

Shaped like a small ginger jar, the removable lid has an applied silver crab on top. One of the large appliques is a beautiful, exotic peony in bloom.

The main scene is of a large egret standing among grasses and pebbled ground. The head features an open mouth with an exposed tongue and a tiny bug on the end. Great designs are those like this which add whimsy and humor.

Another scene has an egret in flight looking downward at a very worried looking frog.

This lovely tea caddy is marked underneath with the anchor mark used on copper wares and 'GORHAM CO/ 160/ N'. It measures 3.75 inches wide by 3.75 inches high and is in very good antique condition with some wear to the original patina.