Dutch Tortoiseshell Serpentine Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts and Stringing
Located in Downingtown, PA
Dutch Tortoiseshell Serpentine Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts and Stringing Circa 1830 This Dutch tea caddy is of rectangular form with a serpentine front and back, veneered throughou...
Silver
19th Century English Wedgewood Retailed Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
By Wedgwood & Co
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning, fine quality English Victorian brass-mounted walnut tea caddy, retailed by Wedgwood & Sons, 9 Cornhill, London. Exquisitely hand-crafted in the mid-19th century, rectang...
Brass
Antique English Tea Caddy in Ribbed Bucket Form George III
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This George III Tea Caddy is formed in the rare and unusual shape of a ribbed bucket and dates to circa 1800. The exterior is carved with alternating panels...
Wood
19th Century Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy with Silver Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy with Silver Set
Mother-of-Pearl
Regency English Penwork Double Tea Caddy, Gold on Black Ground
Located in Downingtown, PA
Duty ran as high as 119 percent before Pitt's Commutation Act of 1784 cut it to 12.5, and even afterward tea was costly enough that the caddy was a locked box kept in the drawing roo...
Wood
Antique English Edwardian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Martin Hall & Co
Located in Northampton, GB
An Edwardian tortoiseshell and silver tea caddy by Martin, Hall & Co, dating to 1904, of compressed octagonal form with a gently domed lid surmounted by a substantial silver carr...
Sterling Silver
Antique George V Sterling Silver & Cut-Glass Tea Caddy, 1915
By George Nathan & Ridley Hayes
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and cut-glass tea caddy, an addition to our silver mounted glass collection. This impressive antique George V cut-gl...
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Canton Lacquer Tea Caddy with Pewter Canisters
Located in Kastrup, DK
Octagonal Chinese tea caddy crafted in wood with dark lacquer and richly decorated in gold with Chinese figural scenes, architecture, flowers and stylized foliage. The front, sides ...
Pewter
Antique English Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Inlay
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A Georgian satinwood tea caddy featuring conch shell inlay, dating to circa 1790, of rectangular form with elegant canted corners and finely inlaid boxwood ...
Wood, Satinwood
$990Sale Price|40% Off
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Walnut Veneer Parquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea.
Brass
Georgian Octagonal Tea Caddy, Burr Yew Wood, England, Circa 1800
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Early 19th Century, George III Period, Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy Of Octagonal Form, Having Superbly Figured Veneers And Attractive Strung Decoration Throughout, The Hinged Lid Enc...
Yew
$760Sale Price|20% Off
English Rosewood Tea Caddy With Satinwood Banding & Claw Feet 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An 19th Century English Rosewood Tea Caddy, presented on a pedestal stand. This fine antique piece is crafted from rosewood, showcasing its distinctive grain, and is adorned with sat...
Rosewood
Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy, Regency Style, England, Circa 1820
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Attractive And Good Quality Early 19th Century Regency Period, Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy Having Boxwood Strung Decoration Throughout, The Hinged Pagoda Top Enclosing Two Lidded ...
Yew
19th-century English Tea Caddy by P. & F. Schäfer, London
Located in Delft, NL
19th-century English Tea Caddy by P. & F. Schäfer, London A Tea Caddy by the toiletry bag makers P. & F.
Malachite, Bronze
Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea.
Brass, Zinc
Victorian Hand-Crafted Wood Tea Caddy with Penwork, England, 1842
Located in Montreal, QC
This tea caddy is of sarcophagus form, oblong with a raised panelled lid, painted with autumnal fruit and flowers.
Wood
Antique Russian Silver Tea Caddy, 1890, Engraved Floral Design, Moscow
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This exceptional antique Russian silver tea caddy has a cuboid shaped form with rounded shoulders. The surface of this silver tea caddy has a matte textured finish and is embellishe...
Silver
19th Century English Mahogany Tea Caddy, Hand-Carved, Regency Style
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary 19th century English solid mahogany tea caddy. This shaped box has a carved, angular top outlined with satinwood for subtle contrast, opening to a fitted interior.
Bronze
Georgian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Satinwood Inlays, England, Circa 1790
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive, good quality, late 18th century rosewood oblong shaped tea caddy having satinwood strung mouldings and original brass hinges, with working lock and key. Constru...
Rosewood
Victorian Tea Caddy in Hungarian Ash, Circa 1860, Unique Design
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming Mid-19th Century hungarian ash tea caddy of unusual design, having applied tablet & chequered strung decoration to well figured exterior, with slightly domed hinged top en...
Ash
English Regency Period Satinwood Marquetry Inlaid Serpentine Form Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English Regency serpentine satinwood marquetry inlaid tea caddy with rosewood cross-banding throughout. The top is centered with a leaf roundel,the central front panel with an ova...
Brass
Edwardian 'Drum Shape' Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1905
By Blackburn & Tysall
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1905 by Blackburn & Tysall, this very attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, features bright cut engraved decorative bands and cartouche, a...
Sterling Silver
George III Mahogany Tea Caddy, English, Circa 1760, Brass Handle
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 18th century, Georgian Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy, Having Original Brass Handle To Hinged Top, Enclosing Divisions, With Unusual Glazed Panels To Front Bearin...
Mahogany
Antique Chinese Silver Tea Caddy by Wang Hing & Co., Dragon Design
By Wang Hing & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This exceptional antique Chinese silver tea caddy has a circular rounded form. The surface of the box is embellished with an impressive applied undulating, iconic Chinese dragon d...
Silver
Stunning Engraved Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1806
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1806 by Thomas Paine Dexter, this charming, George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is oval in shape, and in the Neoclassical taste, with bright...
Sterling Silver
Fabulous Antique English Penwork Double Compartment Tea Caddy c.1820
Located in Bath, GB
A simply magnificent and grand example of a Regency Penwork Tea Caddy dating 1820. The caddy stands on it's original large gilded bronze Lion's paw feet and the sides retaining the ...
Wood
Large Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy, Inlaid Design, England, Circa 1790
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A good quality Georgian 18th century mahogany rectangular tea caddy having replacement brass axe drop handle to hinged lid enclosing cavity with attractive inlaid decoration througho...
Mahogany
Georgian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Hinges, England, Circa 1790
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An attractive and well figured, late 18th century Square rosewood tea caddy having boxwood Stringing and key escutcheon with original brass Hinges to lid and working lock and key ...
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Burr Elm Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Regency burr elm tea caddy having a sarcophagus shaped lip which lifts to reveal two lidded compartments with original turned knobs, standing on small bun feet. The colour ...
Elm
Antique Russian Imperial Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy Gustav Klingert Moscow
By Gustav Klingert
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality antique Russian Imperial silver tea caddy, engraved in the Chinoiserie style, by Gustav Klingert, Moscow, dated 1894. Gustav Klingert worked as a master for Karl Faber...
Silver
$820Sale Price|20% Off
Georgian large Tea Caddy fine quality, English Sheraton period Ca 1785
By Thomas Sheraton
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
It is rare to find Tea Caddy's with these individual tea boxes, as most Caddy's are just made with internal compartments to hold the tea.
Brass
American Mahogany Tea Caddy Signed Tiffany New York. Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany tea caddy with original fitted nickel plated divided interior. Signed Tiffany New York . Late 19th Century
Regency Antique 19th Century Sarcophagus Shaped Burr Elm Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Regency antique 19th century burr elm tea caddy having a sarcophagus shaped lip which lifts to reveal two lidded compartments with original turned knobs, standing on small bun feet. ...
Elm
English Regency Parquetry Diamond Inlaid Hinged Ebonized Tea Caddy, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency Parquetry diamond inlaid hinged ebonized tea caddy with two lidded interior compartments, original ebonized knobs, stylized foliage borders, locking mechanism with ke...
Brass
Antique Early Victorian Tea Caddy in Coopered Barrel Form C. 1940
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Tea caddy in coopered barrel form, modelled as a miniature barrel and raised on a mahogany plinth with a cavetto edge, dating to the early Victorian period, ...
Brass
English Creamware Tea Caddy, Red Transfer-Printed Pastoral Scenes, Circa 1770
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Creamware Tea Caddy, Red Transfer-Printed Pastoral Scenes, Circa 1770 This creamware tea caddy is of upright rectangular form with canted corners and an arched shoulder, ris...
Creamware
Antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware Burr Wood Tea Caddy with Twin Compartments
Located in Nottingham, GB
Geometric Tunbridge ware tesserae bands border the richly figured burr wood exterior of this rectangular tea caddy, framing a central micro-mosaic floral medallion set into the lid.
Wood
French Limoges Porcelain Tea Caddy with Sterling Silver Lid, circa 1900
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant French Limoges porcelain tea caddy dating from circa 1900, beautifully decorated with hand-painted floral motifs and fitted with a hallmarked silver mount and removable li...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Magnificent Antique Silver Tea Caddy by William Hutton & Sons Ltd. - 1905
By William Hutton & Sons
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent English Edwardian solid silver / sterling tea caddy sitting in it's original presentation case (with wear) from the retailer, "S. Smith & Son Ltd., By Appointment to H....
Sterling Silver
Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy, Hand-Crafted, Repousse Design, 1920
Located in Montreal, QC
Of oval outline; the body repousse with scenes of merrymaking, after Teniers, the hinged cover with radiating design and pierced gallery. Very well-made, this is a cheerful Dutch box...
Silver
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 brass mounts & handle, and bracket feet. Simply a wonderful, rare form! Date: L...
Brass
George II Period Mahogany Tea Caddy, England, Circa 1730, Brass Handle
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An 18th Century, George II Period, Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy Having Original Brass Swan Neck Handle To Hinged Top, Enclosing Three Interior Divisions And Elegant Canted Corners,...
Mahogany
French Napoleon III Marquetry Inlaid Serpentine Form Tea Caddy Circa 1880
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III marquetry double compartment tea caddy, featuring a serpentine silhouette and parquetry pattern edged with a brass molding. Mahogany veneer with a ...
Brass
Regency Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy, Ormolu Handles, England, Circa 1820
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Delightful Early 19th Century, Regency Period, Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy Of Sarcophagus Form Having Boxwood Strung Decoration, Original Ormolu Handles To Sides And Hinged Top Enclosi...
Yew
Impressive William IV Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy in Contrasting Exotic Woods
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Large and impressive William IV tea caddy of sarcophagus form in exotic woods. The exterior in nicely grained contrasting dark and light woods bordered with gadroon moldings and with...
Wood
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
19th Cenury Black Lacquer Gilt Decorated Tea Caddy and Decorative Liners
Located in North Salem, NY
An old black lacquered, hand-painted tea caddy, finely crafted and richly decorated, designed for the storage of loose tea. The exterior is finished in a black lacquer, providing a g...
Metal
Victorian Padouk Wood Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Accents, Circa 1860
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Rare Mid 19th Century Anglo-Chinese Padouk Wood Rectangular Tea Caddy Having Attractive Silver Plate Mounted Decoration Throughout, The Hinged Lid Enclosing Two Lidded Divisions, W...
Padouk
$1,527Sale Price|40% Off
Hand Painted Apple-Shaped Tea Caddy, Wood, Regency Style, 20th Century
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A 20th Century Hand Painted Hinged Lidded Tea Caddy In The Shape Of An Apple With A Metal Patinated Stalk A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea.
Wood
Exceptional Georgian Crossbanded Satinwood Tea Caddy w/ Oval Inlaid Shell Panels
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine tea chest or tea caddy in satinwood with crossbanded edges on the lid and all four sides, the lid, front and sides inlaid with ovals of tortoiseshell.
Satinwood
Antique English Wooden Georgian Chippendale Triple Tea Caddy 18C Irish Provenanc
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Impressive English early Georgian Flame Grain Mahogany with ebony inlays Treble Tea Caddy Teacaddy of outstanding quality and workmanship and generous size. Last quarter of the Eight...
Mahogany
Small Antique Octagonal Tented Top Amboyna Tea Caddy. English C.1820
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A very special tea caddy Burl amboyna with silver wire stringing. Of special note is the exceptional quality of the inlay on the interior lid. Original key. Free Uk shipping ...
Amboyna
Geometrically Inlaid Georgian Rosewood Two Chamber Tea Caddy w/Sugar Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Fine George III rosewood double chamber tea caddy with classical inspired geometric inlay of exotic woods including satinwood, mahogany, kingwood and palm.
Brass
Edwardian Period Sterling Silver Ball-Footed Tea Caddy With HInged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Period, sterling silver tea caddy on ball feet, and having a hinged lid and hinged, movable handles, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1908. Lovely, clean lines. Mea...
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English George III Tea Caddy with Shell Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century English George III Tea Caddy with Shell Inlay
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Rosewood Mother-of-pearl Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
An elegant fine quality English Regency period tea caddy. Circa 1815 Born in the early 19th century, exquisitely hand-crafted from the finest exotic rosewood, rectangular sarcopha...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
$1,322Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Loose Tea Caddy, English, Dual Compartment Beverage Case, Regency, 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique loose tea caddy. An English, mahogany and velvet dual compartment case, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Beautiful Regency craftsmanship with a superb v...
Wood
Antique English Satinwood Wooden Georgian Regency Double Tea Caddy 19th Century
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Impressive English Georgian Sheraton Period Flame Grain Satinwood Double Tea Caddy of outstanding quality and workmanship and compact size. Circa 1800-20. The hinged lid cross band...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique English Mahogany Wooden Georgian Regency Double Tea Caddy 18h Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Impressive English Georgian Period Conch Shell Flame Grain Mahogany Single Teacaddy of outstanding quality and workmanship and compact size. Circa 1790. The hinged lid cross banded ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique English Mahogany Georgian Double Tea Caddy attrib Gillows 18th Century
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Mahogany Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding quality, all ...
Mahogany
19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Rosewood Caddy with Silver Mounts. Really nice and unusual, 19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy, from circa 1890. Made of solid rose...
Sterling Silver
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.
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The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.