Teapoy

An image of a wooden box on a center post. The lid is open revealing two lidded drawers.
Teapoy in the Dining Room

Country of Origin: Likely Britain
Year: ca. 1880
Materials: Wood, brass, and lead 

The teapoy was invented at the beginning of the 19th century. Originally, teapoy’s were small earthenware containers or jars that sometimes had their own tables. Later they develop into a chest or cupboard.

This teapoy from the Eldon House collection, is made of wood and has a couple interesting features. On the front there is a lock. Teapoys were often kept locked as tea was an expensive commodity and the lady of the household would want to control its consumption.

The second interesting feature is on the inside. There are two cupboard for the loose leaf tea, and each one is lead lined! The Victorians believed that lead helped preserve the freshness of the tea and lined teapoys and other tea storage items! Luckily, the lead is in decent shape leading museum staff to believe that none of the Harris Family suffered from lead poisoning.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.