Toleware Tea Caddy c. 1941

This Toleware Tea Caddy was designed by Charles Henning, an American artist who died in 1995. The caddy is made of tinplate, formed into its distinctive shape and painted with colorful motifs. Toleware, also known as japanning, involves coating metal with varnish and then decorating it, often with floral patterns. Its origins lie in the European imitation of Asian lacquerware, but it became a popular craft in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. The creation of toleware objects like this tea caddy involves a combination of industrial production for the tinplate and handcraft for the decoration. The labor is divided, with factory workers producing the base and skilled artisans adding the painted designs. The result is a charming combination of mass-produced and handcrafted elements, reflecting the changing landscape of American industry and artistry. Considering materials, processes, and social context, this tea caddy challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the artistry embedded in everyday objects.