Burl Tea Caddy
English Square Burl Tea Caddy Brass Stringing and Interior Lid, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English Square Burl Tea Caddy with Brass Stringing and Interior Lid, 19th Century
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Burl
H 4.25 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 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
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Oak, Burl
19th Century Burl Walnut Tea Caddy & Matching Tea Caddy Spoons, U.K. Circa 1860
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
housing twin tea canisters with confirming hinged lids and retaining its original functioning lock
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver Plate
H 6.75 in W 9 in D 5.5 in
19th Century English Burl Wood Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 19th century English burl wood tea caddy on bronze feet. Extremely polished finish. Would
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
English Burl Walnut Tea Caddy With Decorative Brass Mounts
Located in Free Union, VA
A handsome Victorian era burl wood tea caddy retaining much of its interior silvering. The exterior
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
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
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Regency Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine 19th century English Regency tea caddy. Made of beautiful Burl Walnut with lots of
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
Georgian Burl Yew and Satinwood Octagonal Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Panels
Located in Downingtown, PA
George III Burl Yew and Satinwood Octagonal Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Panels,
Circa, 1790,
The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Burl
H 4.75 in W 7.25 in D 4.25 in
English Georgian Burl Yew Double Tea Caddy with Line Inlay and Crossbanding
Located in Wells, ME
English Georgian burl yew coffered top double tea caddy. The burl yew is accented with delicate
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood, Yew, Burl
H 5.25 in W 7 in D 4.25 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
Antique 1780s English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Ebony, Kingwood, Harewood, Holly, Burl
Antique Georgian Burl Walnut English Double Tea Caddy Box Cut Crystal Bowl 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Burr Walnut Double Interior Section Tea
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
H 6 in W 12 in D 5.75 in
Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770
Located in valatie, NY
Chippendale tea caddy, c1770, burl veneered mahogany paneled front and sides with cross banded
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A well-made antique, circa 1830, English tea caddy with stunning marquetry inlays, warm coloring
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
H 5.5 in W 11.5 in D 6 in
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Bombay Wood Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique French tea caddy in Napoleon III style, wit a bended “forme arbalète” lid. The box is
Category
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
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H 5.52 in W 6.3 in D 4.34 in
19th Century English Regency Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century English Regency burl walnut tea caddy. Lovely shape and pretty details
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique English Burlwood Voting Box / Still Bank
Located in Forney, TX
for a variety of different uses, including as a decorative table box, tea caddy, jewelry casket
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
People Also Browsed
Georgian Squash Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Extremely rare pumpkin / squash tea caddy with a superb dark mottled colour, lovely patination, and a wonderful original squared stalk is only seen on this type of fruit tea caddy.
...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Tea Caddies
Materials
Sycamore
18th Century Georgian Period English Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
Beloved for its aesthetic beauty and exceptionally high quality, Georgian period furniture and decoration are arguably the most sought after and enduring pieces in British history. T...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A late 18th century, Georgian, Mahogany tea caddy having extremely attractive inlaid conch shells, banded and strung decoration, with hinged lid enclosing lidded interior retaining p...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Hand Carved Apple Tea Caddy in Hardwood with Lined Interior, 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand made tea caddy Lidded box in the shape of an Apple, made from hardwood and dating to the 19th century.
The Apple shaped box has a hinged lid with a short hand carve...
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Faux Tortoise Shell Inlaid Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming early 19th century box decorated in faux tortoise shell and having zig zag patterned string inlay, the interior with fitted tray for use as a jewelry or work box and retaini...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Wood
Georgian Yew Octagonal Jewellery Box
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very elegant George III period octagonal shaped burr yew wood jewellery box having attractive banded inlaid decoration to hinged lid enclosing lined interior raised on original bra...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Yew
Regency Burr Yew Tea Caddy
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...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Tea Caddies
Materials
Yew
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 figured case fitted with a hinged canted top with a cross-banded edge, opening to an ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Elm, Cut Glass
Antique 19th Century English Edwardian Inlaid Tea Caddy Box
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 5 1/4in W: 5in D: 4in
This Antique 19th Century English Edwardian Inlaid Tea Caddy Box is extremely intricate and is great example of 19th century english decor! Thi...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
Antique English Black Walnut Tea Caddy, circa 1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is an exquisite black walnut tea caddy. It is in excellent condition and has a beautiful finish.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Regency rosewood sarcophagus form Tea Caddy. With circular
Brass keyhole escutcheon plate.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
English Georgian Double Tea Caddy with Boxwood Shell and Column Inlays
Located in Wells, ME
English Georgian double tea caddy in satinwood with oval panels inlaid with shaded boxwood shells, the front panels are facing shells and the top has a more elaborate frilly edged sh...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Satinwood
18th Century Burr Thornwood Tea Caddy
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a burr thorn and crossbanded tea caddy of superb color and patina with the original brass handle and bracket feet,
circa 1750.
Category
Antique 18th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
Walnut Regency Tea Caddy
Located in Port Chester, NY
A splendid sarcophagus shaped walnut tea caddy on charming bun feet, circa 1820. Good color and patina and in very nice antique condition. The decorative brass piece at the top has a...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
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 this square Georgian Burr Yew wood inlaid Tea Caddy. The Caddy of square form with c...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood, Yew
Georgian Mahogany Oblong Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Good Quality 18th Century Georgian Mahogany
Oblong Tea Caddy Having Well Figured & Inlaid
Hinged Lid Enclosing Original Paper Lined Interior
With Original Solid Lead Lid
(Te...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Recent Sales
English Burl Yew Wood Tea Caddy with Dome Top
Located in Highland Park, IL
Early 19th century English burl yew wood tea caddy with dome top.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Yew, Burl
Victorian Walnut and Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Pawleys Island, SC
Victorian Walnut and Burl Walnut Tea Caddy. One tea box is fully lined with aluminum, while the
Category
Antique 1840s English Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Aluminum
George III Burl Walnut Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Alexandria, VA
Lovely patina. Canted corners. Stringer and banded inlay of satinwood and ebony. Bone escutcheon. Brass knobs on two lids. Original lining, key and finish. From an estate that acquir...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Charles X Tea Caddy Table
Located in Midlothian, VA
A Charles X French Burl Elm Tea Caddy Table Fitted with Interior Tea Compartments on a Reeded
Category
Antique 19th Century French Tea Caddies
An English Burl Tea Caddy From The 19th Century
Located in Hixson, TN
A very nice burl walnut English tea caddy with various colors and greek key inlay. Mother of pearl
Category
Antique 19th Century British Tea Caddies
19th Century Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Montreal, QC
19th Century English beautifully figured burl walnut tea caddy, the interior fitted with three lead
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
Georgian Satinwood and Burl Yew Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine George III inlaid satinwood tea caddy having oval inlays of burl yew wood in a mitered
Category
Antique 1770s English Adam Style Tea Caddies
Materials
Satinwood, Yew
English Georgian Satinwood Double Tea Caddy with Burl Walnut Inlay
Located in Wells, ME
English George III satinwood double tea caddy with oval burl walnut inlays to all sides and the top
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood, Kingwood, Satinwood, Burl
English Turnbridgeware Burl Walnut Tea Caddy, c. 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Burled-wood Tea Caddy, inlaid with Turnbridge-ware decoration, including a central rose
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
English Regency Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
An English Regency tea caddy of ebony and burled wood, with brass trim gadrooning along bottom
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Antique Inlaid Georgian Burl Walnut English Double Tea Caddy Box 19th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A superb example of an English Georgian period well figured burr walnut double interior section tea
Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
H 4.5 in W 7 in D 4.25 in
Early 19th Century Burlwood Tea Caddy
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very handsome and unusual burlwood tea caddy.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Burl
George III Walnut and Burl Walnut Tea Caddy with Hand Painting
Located in Hixson, TN
A gorgeous George III walnut and burl walnut tea caddy with two floral hand-painted band which wrap
Category
Antique 1870s Great Britain (UK) George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Regency Parcel Ebonized Burlwood Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Regency parcel ebonized burl wood tea caddy, probably amboyna or walnut, 19th century, of
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Tea Caddies
Materials
Metal
18th Century British Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Burl Yew Double Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous Regency double tea caddy from, circa 1790 in sarcophagus form.
Made from burr yew wood
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Birdseye Maple
English Burl Walnut Ebony and Tulip Wood Inlaid Kidney Shaped Tea Caddy, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
English burl walnut hinged kidney shaped tea caddy with ebony string inlay, tulip wood cross
Category
Antique 1810s English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Foil
H 4 in W 6.25 in D 3.25 in
19th Century English Tea Caddy
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A three compartment tea caddy . Burl wood with inlay.
Category
Antique 19th Century British Other Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Rare and Charming Diminutive Georgian Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Unusual late Georgian tea caddy, the highly burled case with ebony and boxwood stringing, original
Category
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood, Burl, Ebony
English Octagonal Burl Yew Wood Tea Caddy with String Inlay, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
English Octagonal Burl Yew Wood Tea Caddy with String Inlay, Early 19th Century
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Yew
H 4.75 in W 7.5 in D 4.25 in
Very Good Georgian Burl Yew Wood Tea Caddy, U.K., Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
tea compartments with maple lids & brass pulls, raised overall on compressed bun feet.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Satinwood, Yew
Burl Walnut Dome-Top Tea Caddy, with Elaborate Brass Work with Key English, 1860
Located in Banner Elk, NC
19th Century dome-top tea caddy, with elaborate and intricate brass work, with lids present and
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
H 5.5 in W 9.75 in D 5.25 in
19th Century English Dome Top Tea Caddy with Brass Mounts
Located in Hixson, TN
A English Victorian brass mounted burr walnut domed rectangular tea caddy, applied with studded
Category
Antique 1870s Great Britain (UK) Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany English Double Tea Caddy Box Late 18th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
section tea caddy of rectangular outline, compact proportions and outstanding quality, late eighteenth
Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
H 6.25 in W 10 in D 6.25 in
English Mid-19th Century Trinity House Tea Caddy "Shipping on the Thames" Scenes
Located in Wells, ME
English ships. This three compartment tea caddy is made of burl walnut, mahogany, sycamore, boxwood and
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood, Mahogany, Sycamore, Walnut, Burl
H 8 in W 13 in D 7 in
English 19th Century Trinity House Tea Caddy Ship and Perspective Cube Inlay
Located in Wells, ME
Wonderful and decorative ceiling lights in opaline glass with circular decor and base in brass. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half. Both lamps are fully working ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Burl
H 4.5 in W 9 in D 4.75 in
19th Century Victorian Walnut Domed Topped Cut Brass Mounted Tea Caddy
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite antique Victorian domed top twin tea caddy, circa 1860 in date.
It is
Category
Antique 1860s English Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Period Thuya Wood Tea Box with Lemonwood Inlay and Bronze Feet
Located in Fayetteville, AR
An exceptional piece from the Directoire period, this French tea caddy is constructed of burled
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Tea Caddies
Materials
Bronze
H 5.5 in W 8 in D 4 in
Regency Burl Elm Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English Regency period burl elm 2-section tea caddy of rectangular form.
Category
Antique 19th Century British Boxes
Burl Wood and Studded Metal Tea Caddy
Located in Montreal, QC
Burl wood and studded metal tea caddy.
Category
Antique 1850s English Early Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Burl
George III Burl Yew Wood Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very nice George III burr yew wood tea caddy with triple diamond inlay banded top and unusual mixed
Category
Antique 1780s English Georgian Boxes
Materials
Bronze
19th Century English Inlaid Tea Caddy with Burl Wood and Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A burl wood and walnut tea caddy. Originating in England, circa 1860.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
English Inlaid Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English Victorian burl walnut tea caddy with mother-of-pearl and mixed wood inlay, circa 1860.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Boxes
Materials
Boxwood, Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Burl Wood and Brass Tea Caddy Trinket Document Desk Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century burl wood and brass tea caddy trinket document desk box. Item features
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Wood
H 6.5 in W 9 in L 6.5 in
Antique Chest of Drawers, Reveneered with Burl Walnut
Located in Port Chester, NY
, complemented by banding and tea caddy edges on the drawers. Decorative shaped base with cutouts. The sides of
Category
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut, Mahogany
Art Deco Pop Up Cocktail, Smoking and Coffee Bar
Located in Oakland, CA
Art Deco period. The exterior is a lush, highly polished burl wood cabinet that is full of surprises
Category
Vintage 1930s Argentine Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Metal
Unusual Burl Yew Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine and unusual George III burl yew wood tea caddy, having chevron inlaid top with checkered rope
Category
Antique 1780s English Georgian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Chinese Burl Walnut Tea Caddy with Decorative Floral Pewter Bins, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
Chinese burl walnut hinged tea caddy with the original five decorative floral Pewter bins with lids
Category
Antique 1810s Chinese Chinese Export Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass, Pewter
Great Shape & Color, English 19th Century Tea Caddy in Burl Walnut with Dome Top
Located in Lisse, NL
A very pleasing, late 19th century, double box tea caddy.
This marvellous tea caddy is in very
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood, Burl
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H 6.5 in W 9 in D 5 in
Antique Victorian Scottish Burr Walnut Domed Topped Tea Caddy, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite antique Scottish Victorian domed top tea caddy, circa 1860 in date.
It is
Category
Antique 1860s Scottish Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
H 7.88 in W 13.78 in D 7.49 in
19th Century Napoleon III Burr Walnut Inlay Teacaddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique French tea caddy from the Napoleon III style period. The box is beautifully
Category
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Fine George III Elm Burl Tea Caddy With Mixing Bowl
Located in Lake Forest, IL
Fine George III Elm Burl Tea Caddy With Mixing Bowl. Circa 1800. Original throughout.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Foil
19th Century English Burl Wood Tea Caddy
Located in Summerland, CA
Lovely and beautifully preserved burl wood tea Caddy. Two compartments for tea. Sits on small round
Category
Antique 19th Century English Tea Caddies
Materials
Burl
Shagreen, Burl Wood and Ivory Tea Caddy
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
An elegant burl wood and shagreen box or tea caddy topped with an ivory netzuke.
Category
Antique 19th Century Japanese Tea Caddies
Materials
Burl, Shagreen
19th Century English Regency Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
19th Century English Regency Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
An Unusual English Burl Walnut Oval Tea Caddy, circa 1820
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unusual English burl walnut oval tea caddy, circa 1820
Category
Antique 1820s English George IV Tea Caddies
Burl Walnut Tea Caddy with Satinwood Banding
Located in San Francisco, CA
Burl Walnut Tea Caddy with Satinwood Banding, English circa 1860
Category
Antique 19th Century English Boxes
Materials
Burl, Walnut
19th Century Burl Wood with Inlay Shell Tea Caddy
Located in Cookeville, TN
Burl tea caddy with inlaid shells on Greenfield with inlaid diamond escutcheon. Painted interior on
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British British Colonial Tea Caddies
Materials
Shell
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Burl Tea Caddy For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal burl tea caddy for your home. A burl tea caddy — often made from wood, burl and metal — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a burl tea caddy — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 19th Century. A burl tea caddy is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Georgian, Victorian and Regency styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one burl tea caddy that is appealing in its simplicity, but Wedgwood & Co produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Burl Tea Caddy?
Prices for a burl tea caddy start at $941 and top out at $3,900 with the average selling for $2,675.
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.
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