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Tea Caddies For Sale
Exceptional Georgian Gothic Tea Caddy
Exceptional Georgian Gothic Tea Caddy

Exceptional Georgian Gothic Tea Caddy

Located in Greenwich, CT

An exceptional and elegant Georgian mahogany tea caddy having a gently curved rectangular shape with concave ogee edge top with inlay, dentil molding, chamfered corners with fluting ...

Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Mahogany Wooden Georgian Regency Double Tea Caddy 18h Century
Antique English Mahogany Wooden Georgian Regency Double Tea Caddy 18h Century

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 ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

19th Century Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy with Silver Set
19th Century Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy with Silver Set

19th Century Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy with Silver Set

Located in Atlanta, GA

19th Century Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy with Silver Set

Category

19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Antique Irish Georgian Hand Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Tea Caddy George III
Antique Irish Georgian Hand Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Tea Caddy George III

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 outline with canted corners and outstanding quality, first quarter of the nineteenth century. The finely chased silver mounted rim and hinged cover, hand cut with three bands of lozenges on a plain ground, decorative star cut base underneath. Condition: Exceptional condition for such an early piece, with no losses or clouding inside, silver mounts are unmarked but test positive for silver. Wonderful age wear underneath on base. Lock is present but key does not turn. Back and front views are similar. Measures: Height: 5.25” (13.5cm). Width: 3.75” (9.5cm). Depth: 3” (7.5cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Stunning and rare Tea Caddy...

Category

18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

English Regency Nautical Burl Walnut Inlaid Ship's Tea Caddy w/ Orig. Feet, 1810
English Regency Nautical Burl Walnut Inlaid Ship's Tea Caddy w/ Orig. Feet, 1810

English Regency Nautical Burl Walnut Inlaid Ship's Tea Caddy w/ Orig. Feet, 1810

Located in Charleston, SC

English Regency Nautical sarcophagus form hinged burl walnut inlaid ship's tea caddy with flanking ringed wood side handles, ebony string inlays, fitted interior lidded tea compartme...

Category

Early 1800s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Foil

Antique English Edwardian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Martin Hall & Co
Antique English Edwardian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Martin Hall & Co

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 carrying handle. The exterior is extensively decorated with intricate silver ribbon work, scrolling foliate decoration and floral motifs across each panel, standing prominently against the rich tortoiseshell ground. The silver mounts are fully hallmarked sterling silver for Martin, Hall & Co of Sheffield with the date letter M for 1904. Opening the tea caddy reveals a fitted interior with a single lidded tea compartment designed for the storage of loose leaf tea. The compartment retains its original silver foil lining beneath the lid, complementing the silver mounted exterior and surviving well throughout. A decorative example of early twentieth century English silver mounted tea ware, combining elegant proportions with detailed silver work associated with Edwardian tortoiseshell tea caddies...

Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georgian Style Burton-Ching burl Walnut Regency Tea Caddy
Georgian Style Burton-Ching burl Walnut Regency Tea Caddy

Georgian Style Burton-Ching burl Walnut Regency Tea Caddy

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Georgian Style Burton-Ching burl Walnut Regency Tea Caddy

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Walnut

An English Regency Mother-of-Pearl Veneered Tea Caddy, Circa 1840
An English Regency Mother-of-Pearl Veneered Tea Caddy, Circa 1840

An English Regency Mother-of-Pearl Veneered Tea Caddy, Circa 1840

Located in New York, NY

An English Regency Mother-of-Pearl Veneered Tea Caddy, Circa 1840 An English Regency mother-of-pearl veneered tea caddy, circa 1840, of architectural casket form with chamfered corne...

Category

1840s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Antique English Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Saunders & Shepherd
Antique English Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Saunders & Shepherd

Antique English Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Saunders & Shepherd

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This late Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy by Saunders & Shepherd dates to 1895 and is designed in an elegant sarcophagus form raised upon sterling silver b...

Category

Late 19th Century English Art Nouveau Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique EnglisH Regency Tea Chest with Chinoiserie Decoration
Antique EnglisH Regency Tea Chest with Chinoiserie Decoration

Antique EnglisH Regency Tea Chest with Chinoiserie Decoration

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Tea chest with Chinoiserie decoration, of rectangular sarcophagus form with a slightly tapered body and angled lid, raised upon four brass ball feet and dat...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Regency English Penwork Double Tea Caddy, Gold on Black Ground
Regency English Penwork Double Tea Caddy, Gold on Black Ground

Regency English Penwork Double Tea Caddy, Gold on Black Ground

Located in Downingtown, PA

Regency English Penwork Double Tea Caddy, Gold on Black Ground This English penwork tea caddy is of octagonal form with canted corners, decorated overall in gold on a black ground....

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet
19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet

19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet

Located in Haarlem, NL

Clover or quartreform shaped mid-19th century Chinese canton export tea caddy in gold lacquered wood on a black background. Decorated with palace scenes...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Pewter

Antique English Tea Caddy in Penwork Regency Period
Antique English Tea Caddy in Penwork Regency Period

Antique English Tea Caddy in Penwork Regency Period

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING The tea caddy of sarcophagus form is raised on gilt brass claw feet and constructed with a sycamore carcass and hinged lid. The exterior is finely decorated ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

19th Century English Mahogany Tea Caddy, Hand-Carved, Regency Style
19th Century English Mahogany Tea Caddy, Hand-Carved, Regency Style

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. I...

Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Bronze

Antique George IV Gonçalo Alves & Amboyna Marquetry Tea Caddy C1825 19th Century
Antique George IV Gonçalo Alves & Amboyna Marquetry Tea Caddy C1825 19th Century

Antique George IV Gonçalo Alves & Amboyna Marquetry Tea Caddy C1825 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is an exquisite antique George IV Gonçalo Alves and amboyna marquetry inlaid tea caddy, circa 1825 in date. It is beautifully decorated with superb marquetry decoration to the ...

Category

1820s George IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Amboyna

Antique Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Antique Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Antique Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This Antique Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy dates to the Georgian period during the reign of George III, circa 1800. The tea caddy is formed in an elegant octagona...

Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Shell, Wood, Boxwood

Italian Rococo Style Carved Mahogany Table Box
Italian Rococo Style Carved Mahogany Table Box

Italian Rococo Style Carved Mahogany Table Box

Located in Germantown, MD

A Hand-carved Magogany Table Box / tea caddy chest, Jewelry Chest or Trinket chest stylized with Chippendale Rococo influences. It features intricate floral / leaf carvings on solid ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Rococo Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Islamic Kashmir Hand Painted Paper Mache Tea Caddy Storage Box 1950s
Islamic Kashmir Hand Painted Paper Mache Tea Caddy Storage Box 1950s

Islamic Kashmir Hand Painted Paper Mache Tea Caddy Storage Box 1950s

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Exquisite beauty of this antique Islamic Kashmiri Papier-Mâché Tea Caddy, a stunning storage box with a lid and copper metal lining. This hand-painted gem features intricate miniatur...

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Islamic Tea Caddies

Materials

Copper

English Regency Pagoda Form Tea Caddy
English Regency Pagoda Form Tea Caddy

English Regency Pagoda Form Tea Caddy

Located in Lyndhurst, NJ

Unusual pagoda form caddy finely figured veneers. Interior lids are original and match the exterior of the caddy, resting on brass ball feet

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Decorative Large Round Brass Box Caddy 19th C, North India
Decorative Large Round Brass Box Caddy 19th C, North India

Decorative Large Round Brass Box Caddy 19th C, North India

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Beautiful 19th century large hand-crafted decorative round polished brass box with lid delicately and intricately hand-hammered with repousse floral...

Category

19th Century Indian Agra Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges
Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges

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. When first introduced to Europe from Asia, tea was extremely expensive, and kept under lock and key. The containers used were often expensive and decorative, to fit in with the rest of a drawing-room or other reception room. Hot water was carried up from the kitchen, and the tea made...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass, Zinc

Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Tea Tin
Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Tea Tin

Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Tea Tin

Located in High Point, NC

Late 19th century chinoiserie tea tin from England.

Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy, Regency Style, England, Circa 1820
Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy, Regency Style, England, Circa 1820

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 ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior
Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior

Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A tea caddy of sarcophagus form with bowed sides and a stepped pyramidal lid, banded throughout in fine light stringing with a shield shaped escutcheon to the front and small brass b...

Category

19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

English Regency Period Amboyna Wood Tea Caddy
English Regency Period Amboyna Wood Tea Caddy

English Regency Period Amboyna Wood Tea Caddy

Located in Lambertville, NJ

An English Regency Inlaid Amboyna Tea Caddy with brass mounts. The sarcophagus form with lion handles and scrolled feet. The interior with two compartments for tea with a replaced ...

Category

1810s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique Moroccan Tea Caddy in Brass, 1900s
Antique Moroccan Tea Caddy in Brass, 1900s

Antique Moroccan Tea Caddy in Brass, 1900s

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Late 19th or early 20th century Teacaddy in Hand engraved and embossed brass. Great rich patina that along with its details give it a certain charm. It has a hinged lid that works ju...

Category

Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Located in Atlanta, GA

English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Silver Inlay and Ball feet

Category

19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy (1890)
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy (1890)

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy (1890)

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver tea caddy; an addition to our Victorian silverware. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victo...

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Belgian Café Torréfié Le Pélican Rouge Red Lithographed Coffee Tin c1910
Antique Belgian Café Torréfié Le Pélican Rouge Red Lithographed Coffee Tin c1910

Antique Belgian Café Torréfié Le Pélican Rouge Red Lithographed Coffee Tin c1910

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

An exceptional antique Belgian lithographed tin coffee canister for Café Torréfié Le Pélican Rouge, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1910–1920. Produced in Antwerp, Belgium, t...

Category

1910s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal

Pear form Tea Caddy
Pear form Tea Caddy

Pear form Tea Caddy

Located in Huntington, NY

Late 18th Century George III Pear form Fruitwood Tea Caddy With wooden stem, and an iron keyhole, escutcheon plate, its interior with remnants of the original silver leaf. The pi...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Iron

Antique mid 19th Century Rosewood tea caddy
Antique mid 19th Century Rosewood tea caddy

Antique mid 19th Century Rosewood tea caddy

Located in Allentown, PA

This is a 19th century handmade Rosewood tea caddy. This tea caddy has his original glass disposable in the center with two compartments on either side. The tea caddy stands on four ...

Category

Mid-19th Century American American Empire Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Antique English Green Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy Georgian Period
Antique English Green Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy Georgian Period

Antique English Green Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy Georgian Period

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Green tortoiseshell tea caddy dating to the Georgian period, circa 1790 during the reign of George III. The exterior is finished in vibrant green tortoiseshell and mounted with silver stringing, a vacant silver initial plaque and matching silver escutcheon. The interior is faced in boxwood and fitted with two tortoiseshell lids, each mounted with turned bone handles. When removed, the lids reveal twin tea storage compartments retaining visible traces of their original lining. The tea caddy remains complete with a working lock and tasselled key and is a rare example of late eighteenth century tortoiseshell tea caddies.

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Shell

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A Good Quality Late 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Tea Caddy, Of Sarcophagus Form, Having Boxwood Strung Decoration, Original Brasswear And Hinged Lid Enclosing Lidded Stora...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

American Mahogany

Antique English Georgian Silver Tea Caddy by William Vincent
Antique English Georgian Silver Tea Caddy by William Vincent

Antique English Georgian Silver Tea Caddy by William Vincent

By William Vincent

Located in Northampton, GB

Hallmarked Sterling by William Vincent of London Dated 1779 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of slight...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Quality Antique Willian IV Rosewood Tea Caddy
Quality Antique Willian IV Rosewood Tea Caddy

Quality Antique Willian IV Rosewood Tea Caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Quality antique 19th Century William IV rosewood tea caddy, having a quality shaped rosewood top opening to reveal a fitted interior of a glass tea mixing bowl and a tea lidded compa...

Category

Early 19th Century William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770
Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770

Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770

Located in valatie, NY

Chippendale tea caddy, c1770, burl veneered mahogany paneled front and sides with cross banded border raised on original ball and claw cast brass...

Category

Late 18th Century English Chippendale Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy

Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique Regency quality mahogany inlaid tea caddy having inlaid satinwood stringing, original ornate brass handles and escutcheon, lift up lid opening to reveal two tea caddies Dim...

Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Other

Antique Russian Solid Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy
Antique Russian Solid Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy

Antique Russian Solid Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy

By Victor Savinsky

Located in Northampton, GB

Rare Form with Chinoiserie Figures From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this rare example Russian Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy ...

Category

Late 18th Century Russian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

English Regency Parquetry Diamond Inlaid Hinged Ebonized Tea Caddy, Circa 1810
English Regency Parquetry Diamond Inlaid Hinged Ebonized Tea Caddy, Circa 1810

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...

Category

1810s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - Knife Box Form - 1898
Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - Knife Box Form - 1898

Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - Knife Box Form - 1898

By Walker & Hall

Located in Bath, GB

A handsome Victorian novelty solid / Sterling silver tea caddy created in the form of a Georgian knife box. The underside is fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1898, Victorian in era, ...

Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th century English Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother of Pearl Inlay
19th century English Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother of Pearl Inlay

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...

Category

1810s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

Antique 19th Century Victorian Quality Rosewood Tea Caddy
Antique 19th Century Victorian Quality Rosewood Tea Caddy

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...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Other

Georgian Hexagonal Shaped Mahogany Tea Caddy 18th Century
Georgian Hexagonal Shaped Mahogany Tea Caddy 18th Century

Georgian Hexagonal Shaped Mahogany Tea Caddy 18th Century

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A Very Good Quality Late 18th Century, George III Period, Mahogany Hexagonal Shaped Tea Caddy, Having Elegant Conch Shell Inlaid To Hinged Top, Enclosing Lidded Interior With Origina...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Inlaid Mahogany Tea Caddy, circa 1790
Antique English Inlaid Mahogany Tea Caddy, circa 1790

Antique English Inlaid Mahogany Tea Caddy, circa 1790

Located in Bath, GB

A very handsome George III tea caddy, made from Mahogany and beautifully inlaid with panels and highly decorative foliate marquetry to the front and top. The top has a handsome cast ...

Category

1790s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Dutch Regency Tortoiseshell, Bone & Silver Tea Caddy, Circa 1820
Dutch Regency Tortoiseshell, Bone & Silver Tea Caddy, Circa 1820

Dutch Regency Tortoiseshell, Bone & Silver Tea Caddy, Circa 1820

Located in Atlanta, GA

A rare early 19th-century Dutch tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa 1820, of refined casket form with a softly domed hinged lid, canted serpentine corners, and richly figured tortoiseshel...

Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Bone, Parchment

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy
Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy

Located in Huntington, NY

Regency rosewood sarcophagus form Tea Caddy. With circular Brass keyhole escutcheon plate.

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Tea Caddy Footed Candy Box
Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Tea Caddy Footed Candy Box

Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Tea Caddy Footed Candy Box

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

1920s Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Footed Tea Caddy with hinged lid. This authentic Moroccan brass silver plated box has a beautiful etched geometri...

Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

18th Century Star Inlaid Mahogany Georgian Tea Caddy
18th Century Star Inlaid Mahogany Georgian Tea Caddy

18th Century Star Inlaid Mahogany Georgian Tea Caddy

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A Very Good Quality Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy, Of Good Colour And Patina Throughout, Having Attractive Inlaid Stars And Chequered Strung Decoration, The Hi...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

English Silver Plate Tea Caddy / Thin Biscuit
English Silver Plate Tea Caddy / Thin Biscuit

English Silver Plate Tea Caddy / Thin Biscuit

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Mid 19th century English sheffield silver plate tea caddy / thin biscuit with exterior design details and attached covered top . The tea caddy ...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver Plate, Copper

Antique Original Continental Novelty Pear Fruit Tea Caddy
Antique Original Continental Novelty Pear Fruit Tea Caddy

Antique Original Continental Novelty Pear Fruit Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING The Tea Caddy turned in Sycamore shaped as a natural Pear fruit in bulbous form with slightly tapered lid surmounted by a naturalistic stalk to the top and ...

Category

Early 1800s German Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Documented Georgian /Sheraton Marquetry Tea Caddy, with Prince of Wales Feathers
Documented Georgian /Sheraton Marquetry Tea Caddy, with Prince of Wales Feathers

Documented Georgian /Sheraton Marquetry Tea Caddy, with Prince of Wales Feathers

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Documented Georgian Sheraton Period Marquetry Tea Caddy with Prince of Wales Feathers, Inscribed “E * S 1797,” England, circa 1795–1800 8 pieces: the Tea caddy box, the two caddy bo...

Category

Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Hardwood, Satinwood, Harewood

Georgian Walnut Rectangular Tea Caddy 18th Century
Georgian Walnut Rectangular Tea Caddy 18th Century

Georgian Walnut Rectangular Tea Caddy 18th Century

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

An Extremely Attractive Mid 18th Century George II Period Rectangular Walnut Tea Caddy Having Boxwood Strung Decoration Throughout And Original Brass Swan Neck Handle To Hinged Lid E...

Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Padouk Wood Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Accents, Circa 1860
Victorian Padouk Wood Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Accents, Circa 1860

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...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Padouk

Vintage, New and Antique Tea Caddies

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.