$1,476
H 6.7 in W 13.78 in D 7.68 in
Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
An antique Victorian English burr walnut tea caddy of classic sarcophagus form, raised on bun feet and of excellent colour throughout.
Walnut
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality antique Victorian burr walnut tea caddy having a fabulous burr walnut box with an ornate engraved brass top opening to reveal two burr walnut arched top tea caddi...
Walnut
$979Sale Price|40% Off
H 4.73 in W 8.27 in D 4.73 in
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Walnut Veneer Parquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A 19th Century Antique English Victorian Ebonised Walnut Veneer Tea Caddy With Brass Handle & Lining A Charming tea caddy with decorative walnut veneer parquetry.
Brass
$275
H 5 in W 5.25 in D 4.5 in
Antique English Victorian Dovetailed Walnut Tea Caddy Small Desk Trinket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Victorian Dovetailed Walnut Tea Caddy Small Desk Trinket Box. Item features dovetailed joints, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice antique item. ...
Walnut
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
$1,762Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.12 in W 7.01 in D 4.45 in
Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest With Key
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Exquisite 19th Century Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest Features Two Caddy Compartments Which Feature Domed Wooden Lids & Each Has A Circula...
Brass
$925
H 4.34 in W 6.7 in D 3.55 in
Victorian Burr Walnut Studded Tea Caddy With Engraved Brass & Green Baize
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Beautiful Victorian Burr Walnut Studded TeaCaddy Chest With Engraved Brass Details & Camel Bone Supports 1800's Would make an ideal present for any occasion.
Brass
$661Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.93 in W 7.88 in D 4.53 in
Antique Dome Top Tea Caddy, English, Burr Walnut, Box, Gothic Taste, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique dome top tea caddy. An English, burr walnut and brass capped loose leaf box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Wonderful Gothic revival finish to ...
Walnut
19th Century Burl Walnut Tea Box
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 19th century burl walnut tea box from England. Very beautiful box with a beautiful brass decoration on its front and top. Superb patina and in perfect condition. Two small ...
Walnut
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
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 other still has trace amounts remaining inside. This piece features bun feet and a por...
Aluminum
Rectangular Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Folkestone, Kent
An early 19th century walnut two compartment tea caddy banded in rosewood.
Walnut
Victorian Walnut Floral Marquetry Teapoy
Located in Altrincham, Cheshire
Victorian walnut floral marquetry teapoy, of serpentine outline, the top opening to an interior with two lidded compartments and centre aperture, raised on cabriole legs terminating ...
Walnut
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 is adorned with ornamental brass strapwork elements, studs and an escutcheon, the ...
Brass
Unavailable
H 4.73 in W 8.27 in D 4.93 in
Victorian 19th Century Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy with Original Features
By Tunbridge Ware
Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
An original Victorian 19th century Tunbridge ware tea caddy with 2 inner compartments and working lock and brass key. A wonderful vintage item that reflects the historical craft tec...
Brass
Victorian Burr Walnut Tea Caddy by "Parkins & Gotto"
By Parkins & Gotto
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Superb Quality Mid 19th Century Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Having Original Brass Mounted Decoration And Domed Lid Enclosing Two Removable Lidded Compartments And Glass Mixing Bowl. Mak...
Walnut
Sold
H 6.7 in W 8.67 in D 4.73 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.
Brass
Sold
H 5.52 in W 9.45 in D 5.32 in
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut and Brass Mounted Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Superb quality antique Victorian burr walnut and brass mounted tea caddy having a superb quality antique Victorian burr walnut tea caddy with a dome top opening to reveal 2 lift up l...
Brass
19th Century Walnut Tea Box / Box
Located in Brussels, Brussels
19th century walnut tea box or chest from England with its working key Lovely tea chest with two compartments decorated on the front as well as on the top with brass decoration as w...
Walnut
1880s English Tunbridge Inlaid Walnut Tea Caddy Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1880s English Tunbridge inlaid walnut tea caddy box.
Walnut
19th Century English Walnut Tea Caddy Box with Inlay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century English walnut tea caddy box with inlay. Tea caddy box has two storage compartments.
Walnut
Sold
H 4.25 in W 7.5 in D 5 in
Walnut Tea Caddy with Geometrical Exotic Inlays and Enamaling, English, ca. 1870
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Walnut tea caddy with geometrical exotic inlays and enamaling, English, ca. 1870, with an inlaid plaque to the top reading 'TEA,' with the original interior compartment lids and bone...
Walnut
Sold
H 4.5 in W 9 in D 4.75 in
Walnut Dome Top Tea Caddy with Brass and Bone Decoration, English, circa 1870
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Walnut dome top tea caddy with brass and bone decoration, English, circa 1870 Dimensions: W 9”, D 4.75”, H 4.5”.
Brass
Sold
H 5.5 in W 9.75 in D 5.25 in
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 with original key, English, ca. 1860.
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Alder Root Tea Caddy
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Delightful Swedish tea caddy, circa 1870. Made from alder root with its tight burr and rich color. Brass handle, top opens to reveal traces of the original interior with partit...
Walnut
William IV Burr Walnut Teapoy
Located in Altrincham, GB
William IV burr walnut teapoy c1830-40, circular hinged top opening to two cylinder caddies and mixing bowls raised on a wrythen moulded column and three cabriole legs - 16"diam x 29"h
Walnut
Sold
H 7.88 in W 13.78 in D 7.49 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.
Brass
Sold
H 6.25 in W 10.5 in D 6.5 in
Antique English Burl Burr Walnut Wooden Victorian Double Tea Caddy 19th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Georgian style Well figured Burr Walnut Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of quite rare dome top and spreading base outline, generous proportions and o...
Mahogany, Walnut, Burl
Antique Victorian Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian mahogany tea caddy having a shaped figured mahogany lift up top opening to reveal a fitted interior with three compartments, two having original lift out tops. The ...
Walnut
19th Century Walnut and Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Houston, TX
English figured walnut tea caddy from the 19th Century. It has a rectangular form with a hinged lid and central shield formed brass cartouche. It opens to two covered tea boxes. A...
Walnut
19th Century English Walnut Presentation Tea Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
English walnut tea caddy with slight domed top and etched brass fittings. There is a presentation plaque inscribed "Presented to Marion Fisher Cameron of the occasion of her marriage...
Brass
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Teapoy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique Victorian quality burr walnut teapoy having a quality burr walnut crossbanded lift up serpentine shaped top opening to reveal a fitted interior consisting of a mixing...
Walnut
Sold
H 6.75 in W 9 in D 5.5 in
19th Century Burl Walnut Tea Caddy & Matching Tea Caddy Spoons, U.K. Circa 1860
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The highly figured domed case exhibiting a fine warm patina overall and opening to an interior housing twin tea canisters with confirming hinged lids and retaining its original funct...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 6.5 in W 9 in D 5 in
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 good condition and the walnut burl has a truly warm, deep and rich patina. The combina...
Wood, Burl
19th Century Victorian Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy, circa 1880
Located in Umberleigh, Devon
A beautiful English Victorian burr walnut tea caddy with domed top and decorated with cut-out brass which is engraved with fern decoration. Has original working lock and key and lid ...
Brass
Victorian 1870 Walnut Inlaid Tulipwood Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy
Located in Windsor, Berkshire
This is a Victorian 1870 walnut inlaid tulipwood Tunbridge ware twin lidded tea caddy. It has a mahogany interior and to the exterior a mother of pearl top and key escutcheon. It is ...
Walnut
Sold
H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 5.91 in
Unusual 19th Century Victorian Period Brown English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy, 1860
Located in London, GB
An unusual 19th century English tea caddy. Of oval form in attractive burr walnut veneer, including the interior, with its original lining and key. English, circa 1860.
Walnut
Victorian Burr Walnut Tea Caddy with a Pin Cushion Top
Located in Windsor, Berkshire
Victorian burr walnut tea caddy with a pin cushion top. An outstanding burr walnut, twin lidded tea caddy dating back to circa 1850. Featuring a superb Tunbridge ware inlaid pattern...
Wood
Victorian Burr Walnut Tea Caddy with a Pin Cushion Top
Located in Windsor, Berkshire
Victorian burr walnut tea caddy with a pin cushion top. An outstanding burr walnut, twin lidded tea caddy dating back to circa 1850. Featuring a superb Tunbridge ware inlaid pattern...
Wood
Sold
H 8 in W 13 in D 7 in
English Mid-19th Century Trinity House Tea Caddy "Shipping on the Thames" Scenes
Located in Wells, ME
English Trinity House tea caddy, inlaid with shipping scenes on the Thames. The Nore Lightship is at anchor protecting ships from the infamous sandbar on the Thames, other ships are ...
Boxwood, Mahogany, Sycamore, Walnut, Burl
Victorian Tunbridge Ware Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, United Kingdom
Tunbridge ware tea caddy with a view of Eridge castle on the top, veneered in Walnut. The interior of this Tunbridge ware tea caddy features two lidded compartments with traces of ...
Walnut
Dome Top Victorian 1850 Brass Inlaid Walnut Twin Lidded Tea Caddy
Located in Windsor, Berkshire
A dome top Victorian 1850 brass inlaid walnut, twin lidded tea caddy. It has walnut to the interior and it’s in super original condition with a working lock and key. It measures 20.5...
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Cookeville, TN
This American tea caddy is simple but makes a statement with maple string inlay and geometrical shape. On the interior both lids and the zinc lining are in place. The lid is lined in...
Maple, Walnut
19th Century Rosewood Dressing/Jewellery Box
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Victorian Rosewood Dressing table box with Mother of pearl car-touché to the centre of the lid, the lid does have age related shrinkage. To the inside of the lid it has a blue velvet...
Rosewood
French 19th Century Silver Plated Casket
Located in London, GB
The whole casket is richly decorated. Standing on lions paw feet adorned with baroque motifs the scene on top depicts cupid stood beside two lovers (possibly) Daphne and Apollo. The ...
Silver Plate
$3,402
H 8.51 in W 18.51 in D 11.62 in
Antique Regency Mahogany & Rosewood Brass Inlaid Campaign Writing Slope Box
Located in King's Lynn, GB
Here we have an impressive antique Regency (1811-1820) Mahogany & Rosewood Brass inlaid campaign writing slope box with a side drawer and multiple hidden internal compartments and dr...
Brass
Antique 19th Century Victorian Quality Rosewood Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique 19th Century Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy having a lift up top opening to reveal a fitted interior with a pair of lidded tea boxes and a glass mixing bowl. In lovely...
Other
18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy, Great Britain, Circa 1760
Located in London, GB
A mid-18th century Chippendale period figured mahogany tea caddy, ebony beaded and mahogany cross-banded throughout, having concave-shaped lid retaining original brass carrying handle.
Mahogany
George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Inlay & Burled Crossbanding
Located in Atlanta, GA
George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Inlay & Burled Crossbanding, ca. 1790
Mahogany
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique Maire and the silversmith Jacques-Br...
Crystal, Silver
19th Century English Travelling Dressing Case
By Edward & John Barnard
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th century lady’s travelling dressing case. The case is constructed in a finely marked coromandel, with inset brass handles and brass guard bands to the angles. The hinged l...
Silver
Victorian Rosewood Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy
By Tunbridge Ware
Located in Northampton, GB
Dome Topped Tea Caddy From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy is veneered to the exterior in ...
Wood
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.