Antique "Mazawattee tea" tea tin with an image of Little bo-peep

Antique "Mazawattee tea" tea tin with an image of Little bo-peep.

• Manufacturer: Mazawattee tea
• Manufacturing date: 1900 - 1920

Description
Large rectangular tin in a brocante version with a beautiful patina, with a double hinged lid. This tin has an extra hinged lid under the lid in which a kind of half lock ring. The decoration of this tin consists of round and oval passe-partouts convex to the outside with various romantic images. On the lid an image of the little shepherd Little Bo-Peep, known from the English children's song (image very faded). The other images have stood the test of time a little better.

On the edges of the lid on the long sides the text: "Mazawattee Tea". On the short sides only the text: "Mazawattee".

At the bottom this tin is marked with the text: "Delicious Mazawattee Tea 3 lbs. For 6 / - Genuine only in Sealed Packets and Tins.

Condition
This tin is in a vintage condition with various traces of use and age-related signs of wear. Pictures  are part of the description.

Size

• Height: 14.5 cm.
• Length: 22 cm.
• Width: 24.3 cm.

Little Bo-Peep
"Little Bo-Peep" or "Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep" is a popular children's song in English.

As with most products of oral tradition, there are many variations of the rhyme. The melody usually associated with the rhyme was first recorded in 1870 by the composer and children's song collector James William Elliott in his National Nursery Rhymes and Nursery Songs.

Mazawattee Tea
Founded in 1887 by the Densham family, The Mazawattee Tea Company was one of the most important and most advertised tea companies in Britain in the late 1800s. Traditionally, the origins of tea drinking lie in China, and the famous Tea Clipper ships rushed across the seas to bring tea to London. By the 18th century, tea had become an important drink in Britain, especially for the wealthy. It was not until the 1850s (when tea plantations had been successfully established in India, especially in Assam and Ceylon) that the real expansion began.

The Densham family were at the forefront of this growth period. Originally from Plymouth, Devon, they moved to London and managed to amass a fortune from the company in a fairly short time. The Denshams later owned fine properties in both Purley and Croydon and one of the founder's sons, Edward, became a well-known figure in Purley.

In Britain, drinking tea was already a very social affair in the early 18th century. Tea was widely consumed in tea gardens in London.

Some translations come from an automated system and may contain errors.