Images(2)

Tea Box

Date1950s

OriginAmerica

MediumPlywood and paint

DimensionsOH: 17 1/2"; OW: 16 1/4"; OD: 16 1/4"

Object numberT034-2024,41

DescriptionTea chest consisting of four yellow and black painted sides, nailed to a painted top and bottom. Two of the sides across from each other are painted yellow, with a thick black border on three sides and reads "WHISTLER / O W / CURIOLEL / YOUNG HYSON / TUCKLOONG CHUNKIN / N - 15"; inside the solid black border is a decorative floral border that reads "RUSSELL & CO CANTON' at the bottom; the two opposing sides are painted eyllo with a solid black border on three sides and a thin red line running vertically from the bottom black border to the top and reads 'TEA' in larege letters in the center; the top and bottom are painted black.Label TextThis tea chest is featured in the film “The Story of a Patriot,” which was released in 1957 in collaboration between Paramount and Colonial Williamsburg. The film is the longest running in history, with at least 30 million people seeing it since it’s 1957 release. This tea chest is one of a pair that can be seen twice in the movie. First, at approximately 16:16, one of the pair is hurled through the window of the William Pitt shop, while the other is placed at the base of the stairs. Additionally, at approximately 16:53, the chests can be seen stacked on top of each other on the street.