Skip to main content
  • Want more images or videos?
    Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

18th Century Scottish Horn and Polished Stone Tea Caddy

$1,800

About

Presenting a beautiful and extremely rare 18th century Scottish horn and polished stone tea caddy. This is a piece of Scottish history!! Made circa 1780. The caddy is constructed of polished cow horn, from a Highland Cow Horn, it is riveted together with pieces of bone. In my opinion, this was a tea caddy as opposed to a simple sealed mini-barrel for powder or otherwise. In the 18th century, tea was a very valuable and expensive commodity, it needed to be kept in a sealed container. In England a tea caddy would be under lock and key from possible thieving servants, but in Scotland, with the feudal system of Lairds and their Clans, there was no necessity for the Laird to lock-up his tea, as none of his Clan would dare steal from him. Just think of the Laird in the TV Series outlander!!! Therefore the caddy had to be functional, it had to seal the tea from the elements to keep it fresh and to avoid the dampness. Decoration of Scottish pieces was kept simple, using materials from the locality, hence the use of horn and polished stones or semi-precious stones in the Highlands. Shadow-ornament The stone on the lid of this caddy appears to be a form of polished greenstone, probably 'Jewel of the Fae' from the Northwest Coast of Scotland, or 'Iona Stone'. This would have belonged to a 'LAIRD' (LORD) ONLY as no ordinary Scot could afford tea in 1780!!! The caddy is in good condition for its age and construction, .the lid has a repaired crack on the side, but otherwise it is great. This is a rare and important caddy!!

Details

  • Dimensions
    Height: 6 in. (15.24 cm)Width: 4.25 in. (10.8 cm)Depth: 4.25 in. (10.8 cm)
  • Style
    George II (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques
    Bone,Horn,Precious Stone,Hand-Crafted
  • Place of Origin
    Scotland
  • Period
    Late 18th Century
  • Date of Manufacture
    1760-1780
  • Condition
    Repaired: Repair to crack on lid. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Repair to crack on lid. Otherwise, Mint.
  • Seller Location
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number
    1stDibs: LU3978112016863

Shipping & Returns

  • Shipping

    Ships From: Dallas, TX
  • Return Policy

    A return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.

1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn More
About the Seller
4.9
Located in Dallas, TX
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2015
1stDibs seller since 2018
294 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
More From This Seller
  • 19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts
    Located in Dallas, TX
    Really nice and unusual 19th century Anglo-Indian spice or tea caddy, circa 1890. Made of solid exotic hardwood with solid silver mounts on base and lid. The lid has three silver st...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Tea Caddies

    Materials

    Sterling Silver

    19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts

    19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts

    $650
  • 18th Century Indo-Portuguese Vargueno/Mini Cabinet
    Located in Dallas, TX
    Extremely rare, highly important and desirable colonial piece! It is most likely an Indo-Portugese Vargueno mini cabinet, circa 1780, with strong Persian influences. Vargueno’s...
    Category

    Antique Late 18th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes

    Materials

    Stone, Gold

    18th Century Indo-Portuguese Vargueno/Mini Cabinet

    18th Century Indo-Portuguese Vargueno/Mini Cabinet

    $1,740
  • 18th Century, French Louis XVI Gold and Mop Box with Miniature Portrait of Lady
    Located in Dallas, TX
    Stunning little French ring box. 18th century French Louis XVI Gold and MOP Box with Miniature Portrait of Lady. Gold (18-carat) Box inlaid with mother of Pearl and miniature portra...
    Category

    Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Jewelry Boxes

    Materials

    Gold

    18th Century, French Louis XVI Gold and Mop Box with Miniature Portrait of Lady

    18th Century, French Louis XVI Gold and Mop Box with Miniature Portrait of Lady

    $1,400
  • Pair of 19th Century American Henry Troemner Philadephia Pa Chinoiserie Tea Bins
    By Henry Troemner
    Located in Dallas, TX
    Presenting a gorgeous and extremely rare pair mid-19th century, metal tea bins, by Henry Troemner of Philadelphia, PA in the chinoiserie style. From circa 1845. Made of black enamel...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century American Chinoiserie Tea Caddies

    Materials

    Tin

    Pair of 19th Century American Henry Troemner Philadephia Pa Chinoiserie Tea Bins

    Pair of 19th Century American Henry Troemner Philadephia Pa Chinoiserie Tea Bins

    $3,000 / set
  • 18th Century Continental 2 Handled Blue and White Mug with Gilding
    Located in Dallas, TX
    Lovely 18th century blue and white gilded 2 handled mug, probably continental, possibly German. Beautifully hand-painted, not transfer printed, real quality! No makers mark, on...
    Category

    Antique Mid-18th Century German George II Tea Sets

    Materials

    Gold

    18th Century Continental 2 Handled Blue and White Mug with Gilding

    18th Century Continental 2 Handled Blue and White Mug with Gilding

    $480
  • 18th Century Irish George II Mahogany Pembroke Table
    Located in Dallas, TX
    Gorgeous simplicity in this 18th century, George II Period, circa 1760, mahogany pembroke table. Solid flame mahogany in its construction with fold down side leafs. A central draw...
    Category

    Antique Mid-18th Century Irish George II Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables

    Materials

    Mahogany

    18th Century Irish George II Mahogany Pembroke Table

    18th Century Irish George II Mahogany Pembroke Table

    $2,450

You May Also Like

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

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

$1,162
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th century mahogany tea caddy in the Chippendale style, having the original brass swan neck handle and escutcheon, the hinged top opens to reveal three divisions, with one division...
Category

Antique 1780s British Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

$845
Rosewood 18th Century Oblong Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive late 18th century rosewood oblong shaped tea caddy with satinwood strung mouldings, original brass hinges and working key  (Tea was a precious commodity in the...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood 18th Century Oblong Tea Caddy

Rosewood 18th Century Oblong Tea Caddy

$739
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Late 18th century Georgian Period Mahogany Oblong tea caddy having very attractive inlaid decoration to front and hinged top enclosing double lidded interior with original paper fo...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

$1,113
18th century Walnut Georgian Tea Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
English Georgian domed tea caddy with bone fittings. Two interior lidded compartments. See measurements below.
Category

Antique 1790s English Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Bone, Walnut

18th century Walnut Georgian Tea Caddy

18th century Walnut Georgian Tea Caddy

$1,495
Late 18th Century George III Tea Caddy
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A George III satinwood, amboyna and silver-mounted tea caddy, circa 1780. Rectangular shape, the top and sides with satinwood panels centred on oval amboyna panels, the silver handle...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century British George III Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Late 18th Century George III Tea Caddy

Late 18th Century George III Tea Caddy

$2,984
Georgian 18th Century Rosewood Square Tea Caddy
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 ...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Georgian 18th Century Rosewood Square Tea Caddy

Georgian 18th Century Rosewood Square Tea Caddy

$739
18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy
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.
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Great Britain (UK) Chippendale Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy

18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy

$1,305
Antique Late 18th Century Tea Caddy
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful late 18th century tea caddy from England. Made of fruitwood with satinwood inlay. Inside two individual boxes with lids. A cut-glass bowl resides in the center. No key does...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Tea Caddies

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Late 18th Century Tea Caddy

Antique Late 18th Century Tea Caddy

$465
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

18th Century Burr Thornwood Tea Caddy

18th Century Burr Thornwood Tea Caddy

$2,642

Recently Viewed

View More

The 1stDibs Promise

Learn More

Expertly Vetted Sellers

Confidence at Checkout

Price-Match Guarantee

Exceptional Support

Buyer Protection

Trusted Global Delivery

More Ways To Browse

Antique Black Stone
Scotland Decorative
Antique Bone Box
Tea Caddies 18 Th
18k Horn
Antique Boxes And Tea Caddies
18 Th Century Scotland
Scottish 18th
18th Century Scotland
18th Century Scottish
18th Century Scottish Furniture
Polished Horn
View All Popular Tea Caddies Searches