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Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

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Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Georgian silver tea caddies each have an oblong, bomb shaped form. The surface of each antique tea caddy
Category

1750s British George II Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies
Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies
H 5.4 in W 4.9 in D 9.6 in
Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
With Conch Shell Inlay From our Tea Caddy Collection, we are pleased to offer this superb Georgian
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood

Antique Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy
Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy
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H 4.53 in W 7.68 in D 4.53 in
Georgian Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Tulipwood, Harewood

Antique Georgian Inlaid Tea Caddy
Georgian Inlaid Tea Caddy
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H 4.53 in W 3.74 in D 5.91 in
Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Georgian Silver and Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy is of oval shape with a Tortoiseshell exterior
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Antique Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
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H 3.74 in W 4.53 in D 3.15 in
Georgian Mahogany Oblong Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Good Quality 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Oblong Tea Caddy Having Well Figured & Inlaid
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Georgian Mahogany Oblong Tea Caddy
Georgian Mahogany Oblong Tea Caddy
H 4.5 in W 4.5 in D 3.5 in
Georgian Mahogany & Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive and good quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany oblong tea caddy, retaining
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Georgian Mahogany & Inlaid Tea Caddy
Georgian Mahogany & Inlaid Tea Caddy
H 4.75 in W 7.5 in D 4.25 in
Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal shape with a Harewood veneer exterior and
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Harewood

Antique Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
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H 4.3 in W 5.3 in D 3.35 in
Georgian Burr Yew Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Burr Yew Inlaid Tea Caddy Circa 1780 From our Tea Caddies collection, we are thrilled to offer
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Yew

Antique Georgian Burr Yew Tea Caddy
Georgian Burr Yew Tea Caddy
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H 4.53 in W 5.12 in D 4.13 in
Georgian Novelty Apple Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Shaped as an Apple From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this superb Georgian
Category

Early 1800s European Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Antique Georgian Novelty Apple Tea Caddy
Georgian Novelty Apple Tea Caddy
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H 4.33 in Dm 4.33 in
Georgian Oval Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Oval Tea Caddy. The Tea
Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Georgian Oval Tea Caddy
Georgian Oval Tea Caddy
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H 4.7 in W 5.5 in D 3.55 in
Georgian Glass Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
the body reading MAAF and a radial cut stopper. The Tea Caddy dates to the late Georgian period during
Category

Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Glass, Cut Glass

Georgian Glass Tea Caddy
Georgian Glass Tea Caddy
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H 5.9 in W 3.94 in D 2.56 in
Georgian Rosewood Oblong Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive, good quality, late 18th century rosewood oblong shaped tea caddy having
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Georgian Rosewood Oblong Tea Caddy
Georgian Rosewood Oblong Tea Caddy
H 5.5 in W 5 in D 3.5 in
Large Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A good quality Georgian 18th century mahogany rectangular tea caddy having replacement brass axe
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Late 18th century Georgian Period Mahogany Oblong tea caddy having very attractive inlaid
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
H 4.5 in W 7.75 in D 4.25 in
Georgian Squash Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Extremely rare pumpkin / squash tea caddy with a superb dark mottled colour, lovely patination, and
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 18th century Georgian, Chippendale Period, Mahogany Tea Caddy Of Rectangular
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
H 5.5 in W 9.25 in D 5.25 in
Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Shaped as an Apple From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this superb Georgian
Category

Early 19th Century George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Steel

Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy
Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy
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H 4.7 in Dm 4.3 in
Georgian Tuscan Column Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal shape with a Harewood veneer exterior and
Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Tulipwood, Harewood

Georgian Tuscan Column Tea Caddy
Georgian Tuscan Column Tea Caddy
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H 4.53 in W 5.51 in D 3.54 in
Georgian Tea Caddy Henry Clay 'Attributed'
By Henry Clay
Located in Northampton, GB
Octagonal Papier-Mache Tea Caddy with Classical Figures Circa 1800 From our Tea Caddy collection
Category

Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Paper

Georgian Tea Caddy Henry Clay 'Attributed'
Georgian Tea Caddy Henry Clay 'Attributed'
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H 4.92 in W 4.92 in D 3 in
Georgian Bombe Shaped Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Attractive George III Period, 18th Century Mahogany, English Tea Caddy Of Bombe Shaped Form
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Ribbed Bucket Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Rare and unusual George III tea caddy in the form of a ribbed bucket. The tea caddy of
Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Cut Steel

Georgian Pear Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
This Unique Antique Pear Tea Caddy holds a beautiful shape and patination, has a steel hinge and
Category

19th Century European George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Georgian Pear Fruit Tea Caddy
Georgian Pear Fruit Tea Caddy
H 7.09 in Dm 4.34 in
Early Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Port Chester, NY
A splendid early mahogany tea caddy on charming shaped feet, circa 1770. Good color and patina and
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Early Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy
Early Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy
H 5.5 in W 9 in D 6 in
Georgian Octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine George III octagonal tea caddy inlaid with various woods on a harewood ground, the central
Category

1780s English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Ebony, Kingwood, Harewood, Holly, Burl

Georgian 18th Century Rosewood Square Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An attractive and well figured, late 18th century Square rosewood tea caddy having boxwood
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Georgian 18th Century Octagonal Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Very Unusual Late 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Octagonal Tea Caddy, Having Rare
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Richard Morton & Co
By Richard Morton
Located in Northampton, GB
offer this Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of oval shape and unusually smaller design
Category

Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Richard Morton & Co
Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Richard Morton & Co
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H 3.54 in W 4.72 in D 3.35 in
Georgian Novelty Apple Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Shaped as an Apple From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this superb Georgian
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Georgian Novelty Apple Fruit Tea Caddy
Georgian Novelty Apple Fruit Tea Caddy
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H 3.94 in Dm 4.33 in
Antique Georgian Masonic Freemasons Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
rare Georgian Masonic Tea caddy. The Tea Caddy of box form with chequered edging and borders of
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood, Tulipwood, Yew

Antique Georgian Masonic Freemasons Tea Caddy
Antique Georgian Masonic Freemasons Tea Caddy
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H 4.92 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Small 18th Century Georgian Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
tea caddy is very typically mid 18th century georgian in terms of its style, but a really unusual and
Category

Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nice mellow patina on this 18th century English mahogany tea caddy with three interior compartments
Category

1780s English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Georgian Burr Yew Conch Shell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
beautiful antique Georgian Burr Yew wood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular form with fluted green
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

Georgian Burr Yew Conch Shell Tea Caddy
Georgian Burr Yew Conch Shell Tea Caddy
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H 5.1 in W 7.5 in D 4.5 in
Georgian Period Apple Shaped Treen Tea Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
refined than this simple fruitwood tea caddy in the shape of an apple? Carved from treen as a novelty, the
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal

Georgian Period Pear Shaped Treen Tea Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
refined than this simple fruitwood tea caddy in the shape of a pear? Carved from treen as a novelty, the
Category

Early 1800s English Neoclassical Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Continental Antique Georgian Melon Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
The Tea Caddy is an exceptional example shaped as a Melon and made from Sycamore with a beautiful
Category

Early 1800s European George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Sycamore

18th Century Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
strong mahogany wood. Clamped together by metal hardware. There was once a key to lock the tea caddy, but
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Tea Caddy
18th Century Tea Caddy
H 6.75 in W 14 in D 7 in
Georgian Oak and Mahogany Crossbanded Tea Caddy
Located in Port Chester, NY
A beautiful Georgian tea caddy with original lock and key. Two compartments inside with traces of
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
georgian tea caddy which remains in good condition and boasts extremely well figured flame mahogany veneers
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Country Oak and Mahogany Late Georgian Tea Caddy, TEA in Satinwood
Located in Port Chester, NY
A small splendid Georgian tea caddy with TEA inlaid in satinwood. Both the oak box and the inlaid
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Oak, Mahogany

18th Century Georgian Period English Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
caddy is no exception. For your consideration we have a beautiful period Georgian mahogany tea caddy
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood

Antique English Georgian Period Mahogany Tea Caddy circa 1800
Located in Forney, TX
A charming period English George III (1760-1820) mahogany inlaid tea caddy. Tea was of
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Bone, Mahogany

18th Century Georgian Paper Scrolled Quilled Satinwood Tea Caddy
Located in Benington, Herts
A wonderful 18th century George III quill work (scrollwork) tea caddy of hexagon form. English
Category

1790s British Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood

Georgian Prince of Wales Feathers Harewood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Georgian Tea Caddy featuring the Prince of Wales Feathers with Canted Corners From our Tea Caddy
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Satinwood, Harewood

Georgian Prince of Wales Feathers Harewood Tea Caddy
Georgian Prince of Wales Feathers Harewood Tea Caddy
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H 4.53 in W 4.92 in D 4.33 in
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A late 18th century, Georgian, Mahogany tea caddy having extremely attractive inlaid conch shells
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
H 4.5 in W 4.5 in D 4 in
Tea Caddy English George III
Located in Cheltenham, GB
English George III triple tea caddy with untouched patina colour and original brassware standing on
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Tea Caddy English George III
Tea Caddy English George III
No Reserve
H 6.7 in W 10.24 in D 5.52 in
Octagonal Burl Oak Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine country made English burr oak octagonal tea caddy in richly figured timber, the facetted lid
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Oak, Burl

Octagonal Burl Oak Tea Caddy
Octagonal Burl Oak Tea Caddy
H 6.5 in W 9.25 in D 6 in
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th century mahogany tea caddy in the Chippendale style, having the original brass swan neck
Category

1780s British Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
H 5.5 in W 9 in D 5 in
Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
Located in Folkestone, GB
A fine quality rolled/scrolled paperwork single compartmemt tea caddy in good originl condition
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Paper

Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
H 4.75 in W 7.5 in D 3.75 in
English Georgian Tea Caddy with Inlay and Interior Lid, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English Georgian Tea Caddy with Inlay and Interior Lid, 19th Century
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Antique English Georgian Style Inlaid Mahogany Bombe Shaped Tea Caddy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Georgian style mahogany tea caddy. Of bombé form with fruit wood inlay, gilt
Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique German Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
: Early Georgian tea canisters/caddies in this style were fitted with a domed cover suitable for measuring
Category

Early 1800s Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Antique German Silver Tea Caddy
Antique German Silver Tea Caddy
H 5.31 in W 1.57 in D 2.64 in
Georgian Sheraton Period Tea Caddy finely Inlaid, English circa 1780
By Thomas Sheraton
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
A very beautiful, fine quality, inlaid Tea Caddy from the English Georgian, Sheraton Period, Circa
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut, Sycamore, Boxwood

Hand Carved Crafted Fruit Wood Coco Georgian Victorian Tea Caddy Centerpiece LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Crafted Fruit Wood Coco Georgian Victorian Tea Caddy Centerpiece LA Very rare 19th
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass, Metal

Quality antique George III large tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique George III large tea caddy with the original brass ornate handle to the top opening
Category

Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Quality antique George III large tea caddy
Quality antique George III large tea caddy
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H 5.91 in W 13 in D 7.49 in
Georgian Decagonal Ivory, Tortoiseshell & Silver Tea Caddy w/ Tented Top 18thc
Located in Savannah, GA
lining inside. "This Georgian Ivory Tea Caddy is pictured and presented in the expertly researched book
Category

1790s English George III Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Georgian Birdseye Maple English Double Tea Caddy Box Cut Crystal Bowl
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding quality with very unusual
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

English Georgian Serpentine Tortoise Shell & Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy, C. 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Georgian serpentine tortoise shell and mother of pearl hinged tea caddy with four flanking
Category

Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Foil

English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Georgian Chinroserie bow front tortoise shell tea caddy with a hinged tiered lid, Chinese
Category

Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Foil

Antique Irish Georgian Hand Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Tea Caddy George III
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally rare Irish George III hand cut full lead crystal single tea caddy of rectangular
Category

18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Very Good Georgian Burr Elm Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy, U.K, circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome early 19th century Georgian sarcophagus-shaped tea caddy in burr elm. The highly
Category

Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies

Materials

Elm, Cut Glass

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Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, hardwood and metal. There are all kinds of antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies bearing Georgian or Regency hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Many antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies are appealing in their simplicity, but Henry Clay, William Vincent and Hamilton & Inches Ltd. produced popular antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Georgian Tea Caddy Tea Caddies?

Prices for antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, antique georgian tea caddy tea caddies begin at $200 and can go as high as $19,007, while the average can fetch as much as $1,867.

Finding the Right tea-caddies for You

There are lots of uses for your vintage, new or antique tea caddies, but they can certainly serve their original intended purpose if needed.

When tea first gained popularity during the 1800s, and teatime became commonplace in homes all over England, it was an expensive commodity owing to excessive taxation. (This, of course, inevitably yielded a black market for tea leaves.) Tea drinkers hoarded their precious goods, which began to arrive in London ports from China during the 17th century, under lock and key. In luxury homes, tea leaves were stowed away in a decorative jar or canister called a tea caddy that was fitted with a lock, or, alternatively, the container was kept in a secured chest or storage cabinet.

Tea was thought to be not just a delicious drink but also to have medicinal benefits. The Chinese had been praising the healthy properties of tea, and wealthy Europeans were eager to discover its benefits for themselves during their ritual afternoon tea. The idea of “teatime” wasn’t a social event in upper-class British homes until the 1830s or 1840s. During Queen Victoria’s reign, small baked treats might be served with your beverage, and teakettles and coffeepots were part of tea services that could include teacups, saucers, a milk pot and other accessories.

When tea cultivation was relegated to British colonies such as India, and the British East India Company could no longer hold onto its trade monopoly with China, tea was no longer a ritual confined to the wealthy. Today, antique and vintage tea caddies are collector’s items all over the world.

Tea caddies weren’t unique to Europeans. The earliest pieces originated in China. Surviving hand-painted examples from China or elsewhere in Asia made of porcelain might feature enameled landscapes or other designs. At the Taft Museum of Art, there are striking enameled 18th-century-era tea caddies of copper that were given to the institution in 2014. Wooden tea caddies materialized over time and were seen as sturdier than their ceramic counterparts.

Today, there are all kinds of ways to use a vintage tea caddy if you’re passing on tea. They’re a welcome decorative flourish on the mantel in your living room, for example. A metal tea caddy, lined with a plastic bag, can be used to cultivate an herb garden on your kitchen windowsill. An old wooden tea caddy can help keep your paper clips or pushpins organized on your desk too. If you’re always on the go, a tea tin is good for packing earbuds, hand sanitizer, gum or whatever else that might get easily lost in a roomy crossbody messenger bag or other shoulder bag.

Teatime or not, find antique and vintage mid-century modern tea caddies, tortoiseshell caddies and more on 1stDibs.