Teapoy
A teapoy is a small table, usually found in a living room, originally for serving tea. These small flat topped three-legged tables became popular as early as the 1800s as a solution for both storing and serving tea, which became popular as a beverage from around the 1700s.
The term originates from India, earlier around the 1600s, translated from the Hindu tn, meaning three, and the Persian word pi, which by the 1700s it was spelt 'tepoy'. It was not associated with the serving or storing of tea until 1800s, with designs of 'teapooys' or tea caddies often having a single post with three feet and a container or drawer for tea, which could be locked. Tea was an expensive luxury and these lockable items of furniture could secure the contents from servants and allow, the lady of the house to blend her tea in front of the guests.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
CIOB celebrates positive Ofsted report.
The Building Safety Regulator announces a call for evidence.
Government approach could undermine delivery and regeneration.
World's first mass timber data centre.
The overlooked environmental aspect of data centre development.
Introduction to radon awareness
New technical information sheet published by CIOB.
Updated supplier guide can help electrical contractors engage with NHP.
CIAT confirm the winners of the 2026 architectural technology awards.
Government launches a one stop shop for flood preparedness.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's greatest architect? Book review.
CIOB publishes free template to help assess and manage risks.
ECA's reflections on Party Conference season
Burnham wants to be confident of winning before asking for a fresh mandate.
New Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser
Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University.