$1,500
H 8.25 in W 13.25 in D 7.75 in
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
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
A lovely bow front tortoiseshell tea caddy inlaid with mother of pearl flowers and topped with a
Silver
19th Century English Papier Mâché Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Lovely old papier mâché tea caddy with inlaid mother-of-pearl and hand-painted decoration, England
Mother-of-Pearl, Paper
Mother of Pearl Inlaid William IV Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine William IV tea caddy with mother of pearl inlay in rosewood ground, the overall
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Victorian Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Featuring Inlaid Hearts and Diamonds From our Tea Caddy collection we a pleased to offer this
Brass
Enormous Anglo - Indian Tea Caddy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The quintessential rosewood caddy fashioned with a dome top and inlaid with mother of pearl. Wood
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Fine English tortoiseshell mother of pearl inlaid tea caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine English tortoiseshell tea caddy, the pagoda top beautifully inlaid with mother of pearl over
Tortoise Shell, Ivory, Mother-of-Pearl
Sold
H 6.75 in W 13.5 in D 5.75 in
Antique English Regency Rosewood Inlaid Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy Box 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality antique English Georgian Regency inlaid rosewood tea Caddy, circa 1820. The caddy
Rosewood
Sold
H 4.75 in W 8.5 in D 5.25 in
English Georgian Serpentine Tortoise Shell & Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Georgian serpentine tortoise shell and mother of pearl hinged tea caddy with four flanking
Foil
Sold
H 6 in W 8 in D 5 in
Antique English Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Inlaid Mother of Pearl circa 1870s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English tortoise shell tea caddy with inlaid mother of pearl, Circa 1870-1880.
Tortoise Shell
19thC English Mother of Pearl and Abalone Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Extraordinary tea caddy with mother of pearl and inlaid abalone. Beautiful shape and detail in
Sold
H 5 in W 8.25 in D 5.75 in
English Mother of Pearl and Papier Mâché Tea Caddy with Lidded Interior, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English black lacquered Papier mache and mother of pearl inlaid hinged tea caddy with scalloped
Foil
English Papier Mâché Tea Caddy, circa 1825-1838
By Jennens and Bettridge
Located in Doylestown, PA
Very fine English papier mâché tea caddy, inlaid with mother of pearl, signed by the most high end
Mother-of-Pearl
English Regency Inlaid Shell Double Tea Caddy, 19th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
English Regency silver inlaid turtle shell double tea caddy, 19th century. English Regency
Tortoise Shell
English Regency Period Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Charlottesville, VA
English Regency Period tortoiseshell tea caddy, having a stepped lid with canted corners, exuberant
Tortoise Shell
Sold
H 7.88 in W 13.78 in D 7.68 in
Antique Tea Caddy, English, Rosewood, Chest, Thomas of London, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique tea caddy. An English, rosewood chest with mother of pearl inlay by Thomas of
Rosewood
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
Sold
H 8.27 in W 13.98 in D 7.68 in
Ornate Antique Tea Caddy, English, Rosewood, Sarcophagus, Chest, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an ornate antique tea caddy. An English, rosewood sarcophagus chest with mother of pearl
Rosewood
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.
Boxwood, Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Early English Victorian Tortoiseshell Sarcophagus-Form Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
An early English Victorian tortoiseshell sarcophagus-form tea caddy with mother-of-pearl inlay and
Early English Victorian Tortoiseshell Sarcophagus-Form Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
An early English Victorian tortoiseshell sarcophagus-form tea caddy with mother-of-pearl inlay and
English 19th Century Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary English Regency tea caddy from the 19th century made of rosewood and inlaid with
Tin
English Inlaid Rosewood Tea Caddy, circa 1830
Located in Miami, FL
$495.00 A 19th century English rosewood tea caddy inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The hinged
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Sold
H 13.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
19th Century English Regency Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Regency rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid tea caddy, opening to reveal
Rosewood
Sold
H 4.5 in W 5.7 in D 4.7 in
Early 19th Century Irish Mahogany Single Tea Caddy with Armorial Crest
Located in Dallas, TX
has a quintessentially Irish Crest inlaid in it and it is bordered with ebony, mother of pearl and
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 5.75 in W 7.63 in D 4.75 in
"Tea Caddy" English Tortoise Shell & Mother-of-Pearl Double Compartment 19th-c.
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
SALE ONE WEEK ONLY Regency Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy from the 1st quarter of
Tortoise Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
Sold
H 13.75 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
Large William IV Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother-of-Pearl Inlays, ca. 1835
Located in Banner Elk, NC
An unusually large William IV rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with finely inlaid mother-of
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Mixed Woods and Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Woodbury, CT
English mixed woods and mother-of-pearl inlaid tea caddy. Symbolic inlay on each side including a
Mother-of-Pearl
Victorian Inlaid Mother of Pearl and Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Victorian inlaid parquetry mother of pearl tea caddy , enriched with tortoise shell borders. The
Regency Period Papier Mâché Tea Caddy
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
An attractive Regency period papier mâché and mother-of-pearl inlaid tea caddy, multiple serpentine
$200,368
H 47.75 in W 66.5 in
Grand 19th Century English Marine Painting in Stunning Light
By John Wilson Ewbank
Located in London, GB
John Wilson Ewbank (1799 - 1847) Shipping in the Harbour, South Shields Oil on canvas 39.5 x 58 inches unframed 47.75 x 66.5 inches framed Provenance: Christie's October 2002; L...
Oil
$26,000
H 102 in W 61.5 in D 79 in
English Georgian Mahogany Gadrooned and Upholstered Tester Bed, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Georgian mahogany four-poster bed with a carved molded inset headboard, tapered head post, serpentine gadrooned and upholstered tester with a centered carved urn & swags, dec...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$795
H 3 in W 12 in D 7.5 in
Faux Book / Tome Gilt Tooled Leather & Bronze Table Box 'Old English Homes'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Faux Book / Tome Gilt Tooled Leather & Bronze Table Box 'Old English Homes' This exquisite faux book or tome box is a remarkable piece of decorative art, blending meticulous crafts...
Bronze
$34,427
H 6.3 in W 15.75 in D 5.91 in
Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian) Morocco The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco. I att...
Bone
Portuguese Baroque Style Library Table by Alfonso Marina
By Alfonso Marina
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing walnut library center table or writing table hand-crafted, labeled, signed, and dated by Alfonso Marina. For over 50 years Marina has created the highest quality timeless pie...
Brass
$2,300
H 4.7 in W 7.4 in D 4.3 in
Jugendstil Brass Jewelry Casket with Velvet Lining by Erhard & Söhne, Germany
By Erhard & Söhne
Located in North Miami, FL
1900s Jugendstil golden and silver brass jewelry casket with blue velvet-lined interior by Erhard & Söhne, Germany By: Erhard & Söhne Material: brass, copper, metal, velvet, zinc Te...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Zinc
$260,400Sale Price|25% Off
H 68 in W 55 in
A Magnificent Pair of French Royal Paintings "Aurora and Diana" "Night and Day"
Located in Queens, NY
Jacques-Francois Delyen (1684-1761), Court Painter of King Louis XV. A Magnificent Pair of Palatial "French Royal" Allegorical Paintings "Aurora and Diana" "Night and Day" A truly ...
Oil
$100,135
W 80.71 in L 124.02 in
Tapestry Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period 1738 at the Gobelins
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Madrid, ES
Tapestry from the Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period , made in 1738 at the Gobelins One panel from a series of Gobelins tapestries depicting the Hi...
Wool, Silk
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Mahogany Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A capacious, 19th century French Louis Philippe style bibliothèque, handcrafted of mahogany with a row of four glass-front doors for displaying treasured books, heirlooms, and other ...
Glass, Mahogany
Gilt Mirror with Zodiac Motif
Located in New York, NY
A French circa 1920s gilt mirror with zodiac signs. Measurements: Diameter: 33".
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed
Located in Marbella, ES
This is a wonderful example of a canopy bed from Shanghai Province, China. Made of Chinese Northern Elm, this bed features hoofed feet and multiple floral carvings. The exterior ...
Gold Leaf
Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer cabinet, c. 1750 (Regence Period) A truly magnificent, monumental, and one of a kind cabinet, painted throughout with gi...
Ormolu
Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. 19th Century Daybed
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This recamier/daybed was conceived and executed with utmost quality and expertise, showing a style that incorporates many influences from the eigtheenth and ninetheenth century. Made...
Wood
$165,099
H 90.95 in W 61.03 in D 77.56 in
IMPORTANT BISHOP JAMES STANLEY 1508 KING HENRY VII ENGLiSH OAK TUDOR TESTER BED
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly important, Museum quality, English Tudor King Henry VII Oak tester bed made for an...
Oak
$995Sale Price|37% Off
H 12 in W 6.75 in D 6 in
19th century English Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Savannah, GA
Tea Caddy made of rosewood with extensive mother-of-pearl decoration to the top and front. Special features include bun feet and unusual handles on either side with mother-of-pearl b...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
$240,769 / set
H 40.56 in W 21.26 in D 21.07 in
Six Imporatant George III 1760 Thomas Chippendale Chinese Pagoda Dining Chairs
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this important suite of museum quality, George III circa 1760-1765, Thomas Chippendale Chinese Pagoda top dining chairs with the original embroidered seat p...
Hardwood
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.
The French sculptor shaped dense blocks into tactile forms meant to be used and held.
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.