Functional object - Tea Caddy, Bushells Tea, c1920's

Historical information

For generations, Bushells Coffee has been a part of everyday Australian life. It is an iconic household brand name that generations of families have grown up enjoying. These tea and coffee tins or caddies were commonly purchased from suppliers selling the well-known products of Bushels or Robur. The empty tins would have been used for storing other foods, household or farming items.

Physical description

A badly damaged square, Bushells Ltd 'Barley' tea canister or tea caddy with a rusted on lid and faded mountain scenes depicted around the four sides of the tin. There is indecipherable print at the bottom of each side, however, some details can be read - No. 144 (of a series) Net 1lb. Weight and other words not clearly read. The lid has a picture of the Bushells man with a long beard. This canister is from c.1920's and is very rare.

Inscriptions & markings

There is indecipherable print at the bottom of each side, however, some details can be read - No. 144 (of a series) Net 1lb. Weight and other words not clearly read. The lid has a picture of the Bushells man with a long beard. The pictures on each side are very worn, but are of a female tea picker in traditional clothing working on a mountainside, standing near a shed with a cow and another one of her standing near an ox driven cart.

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