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Tea Caddies For Sale
Style: Neoclassical
Style: Georgian
English Black Lacquered and Gilt Stenciled Figural Pagoda Tea Caddy, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English octagonal hinged black lacquered tea caddy with gilt stenciled figural pagoda, decorative foliage motif, original hand chased lidded in...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Pewter

Exceptional Georgian Crossbanded Satinwood Tea Caddy w/ Oval Inlaid Shell Panels
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine tea chest or tea caddy in satinwood with crossbanded edges on the lid and all four sides, the lid, front and sides inlaid with ovals of tortoiseshell. The lid, centered with a...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood

Circa 1765 George III Period Tea Caddy Box, English
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1765 George III period tea caddy box, English. Small & complete example raised on original bracket feet. Mahogany. Original hardware & lock with key. Contains 2 original tin te...
Category

1760s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

George III Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Made in London by Hester Bateman in 1787
Located in London, GB
A very rare and fine George III Tea Caddy made in London in 1787 by Hester Bateman. The Tea Caddy is modelled in a known design from the Hester Bateman workshops. This fine example...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Set from 1797 by Robert Sharp
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1797 by Robert Sharp, this rare and exceptional quality, George III, antique sterling silver tea caddy set, comprises two oval tea caddies and a sugar caddy...
Category

1790s English Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
With Tuscan Columns & Fan Inlay. From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal shape with a Harewood veneer ext...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Harewood

Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
$3,235 Sale Price
20% Off
Large George III period sterling silver tea caddy made in London in 1800
By David Hennell II
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1800 by Robert & David Hennell, this handsome, George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is plain in design, with bead borders and an engraved cre...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique 18th-Century Georgian Burr Yew Tea Caddy—Elegant, natural wooden box
Located in Saint Helena, CA
Two hundred years of history, meticulously craftsmanship, rare wood, and natural beauty! This beautiful tea caddy is dated circa 1780, is "of the period" Georgian s...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

Antique Georgian Mahogany Antique Tea Chest
Located in Northampton, GB
Book Matched Veneer From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this impressive inlaid Antique Mahogany Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of rectangular shape beautifully veneer...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Boxwood, Satinwood

Antique English Mahogany Georgian Double Tea Caddy attrib Gillows 18th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Mahogany Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding quality, all ...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Sheraton Period Tea Caddy finely Inlaid, English circa 1780
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
A very beautiful, fine quality, inlaid Tea Caddy from the English Georgian, Sheraton Period, Circa 1780. The Tea Caddy is all handmade with very fine quality features; * Beautifully...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Satinwood, Sycamore, Walnut, Hardwood

George III silver tea caddy
Located in London, GB
Classic late 18th century silver tea caddy of oblong form, and featuring delicately hand engraved bands and swags around the sides, and ...
Category

18th Century British George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

George III "Drum" Tea Caddy Made in London by John Deacon, 1776
Located in London, GB
A rare George III "Drum" Tea Caddy made in London in 1776 by John Deacon. The Tea Caddy is modelled in the rare Drum form which was only produced for a short time during the 1770's ...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Antique Continental Novelty Pear Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Novelty Fruit Caddy From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Continental Pear Fruit Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy turned in Sycamore shaped as a Pear fruit with globu...
Category

Early 1800s European George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Cut Steel

Pair of George III Cased Tea Caddies, London, 1793, William Frisbee
Located in London, GB
The Faulkbourne hall cased tea caddies. An important and very unusual pair of George III tea caddies made in London in 1793 by William Frisbee, all contained within a contemporary velvet and silk lined satinwood case. The hinges and handle also hallmarked for 1793. The pair of tea caddies are of an unusual oval form with upwardly curved rim. The sides are beautifully engraved with an upper and lower band of bright cut scrolls and foliate motifs on a scratch engraved and prick dot ground. Each side is engraved with an unusual bright cut cartouche with incuse corners. One cartouche is vacant and the other is engraved with a contemporary Scottish Crest with the motto "Nil Conscrire Sibi - Consious of no Wrong " above. The curved, slightly domed, cover is engraved with an outer band identical to those shown on the sides and terminates in a Neo Classical urn finial, also engraved with bright cut designs. The caddies are most unusual as they open from the side, not in the usual manner from the front. The caddies are each in excellent condition and are fully marked in the foot and with the maker's mark and sterling mark on the cover. The pair of caddies are contained within a most breathtaking satinwood case with hallmarked hinges and escutcheon shaped handle and reeded oval mounts. It is most unusual to find fully hallmarked hinges, and handle, which accurately date the case, as the same date as the caddies. The interior is lined with the original silk, velvet and gold braid. The Crest and Motto are those of Lieut-Col Jonathan Bullock of Faulkbourne Hall, County Essex. He was M.P. for Essex in many parliaments and, in 1763, married Miss Elizabeth Lante. He died without issue in 1809 and his estates devolved upon his nephew Jonathan Joshua Christopher Watson who, in 1810, assumed the surname and Arms of Bullock by Royal Licence. The Bullock family were descended from Robert Bullock of Herburghfield, County Berkshire. He was Sheriff of County Berks and Oxford under Richard II. He died in 1405. Faulkbourne Hall is a Grade 1 listed Manor House in the village of Faulkbourne in Essex, the manor being first mentioned under Edward the Confessor. The earliest surviving parts of the Hall, a red brick building with turrets, date from the 15th century. Sir Edward Bullock, Knight, purchased the Hall and Manor of Faulkbourne in 1637. The hall is considered a fine specimen of early Tudor red...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Georgian Birdseye Maple English Double Tea Caddy Box Cut Crystal Bowl
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Birds Eye Maple Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding qualit...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

18th Century Chippendale Tea Caddy
Located in Richmond, London
An extremely rare, highly desirable, and sought-after model mid-18th century George III Chippendale period tea caddy. Original period metalwork. English, circa 1750. Why we like it...
Category

Mid-18th Century European George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

George III Fourteen Sided Tea Caddy Made in London by James Young, 1789
Located in London, GB
An exceptionally fine & rare George III Fourteen sided Tea Caddy made in London in 1789 by James Young This wonderful Tea Caddy is modelled in a very rare fourteen sided form. Both ...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

18th Century Padouk Wood Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Rare 18th Century Padouk Wood Rectangular Tea Caddy Of Rectangular Form, Having Original Brass Handle To Hinged Top Enclosing Divisions, Raised On Elegant Original Brass Claw ...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Padouk

18th Century Padouk Wood Tea Caddy
18th Century Padouk Wood Tea Caddy
$1,391 Sale Price
30% Off
Mid-18th Century George II Period Tea Chest, Manner of Abraham Roentgen
Located in Richmond, London
This extremely rare tea-chest is a fine example of the mid-18th century fashion for brass-inlaid furniture and boxes, and undoubtedly originates from the circle of outstanding crafts...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Tea Caddy Yew Boxwood Inlaid English George III
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A fine 18th century satinwood and yew tea caddy, the oval burr panels figuring on all sides with boxwood banding and bone knob to the lid. Wonderful patination and remnants of silver...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Yew, Satinwood

Tea Caddy George II Brass Padouk English circa 1760
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Fine example of a George II brass metal mounted padouk tea caddy with finely etched and wrought hardware and vivid grain, color and patina. ...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Georgian Tea Caddy Henry Clay 'Attributed'
Located in Northampton, GB
Octagonal Papier-Mache Tea Caddy with Classical Figures Circa 1800 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are thrilled to offer this Henry Clay Octagonal papier-mache Tea Caddy. The Tea caddy decorated to the exterior with a central scene showing seated classical figures and cherubs. The top and bottom with Entwined diaper borders that are repeated on the hinged, silvered-handle top. The intior features a floating lid with a mounted silvered handle. Although unsigned we firmly attribute the Tea Caddy to renowned London maker Henry Clay. The Tea Caddy comes complete with working lock and key Henry Clay was an assistant to one of the pioneers in papier-mache by the name of John Baskerville who started to imitate the highly polished items, that were being imported from Japan, using lacquered...
Category

Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Paper

Georgian Yew Tea Caddy With Floral Inlaid Decoration
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Fine Quality George III Period, Late 18th Century, Yew Wood Tea Caddy Of Octagonal Form, Having Lift Up Lid Enclosing Two Divisions And Exceptional Floral Inlaid Deocration To Oval...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

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

Georgian Burr Yew Conch Shell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Inlaid with Twin Conch Shells From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this beautiful antique Georgian Burr Yew wood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular form wit...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

Georgian Silver Mounted Satinwood Tea Chest
Located in Northampton, GB
Georgian Tea Chest with Rosewood Cross Banding From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Satinwood Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of rectangular form veneered...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

18th Century Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Attractive Early 18th Century George II Period Walnut Tea Caddy Of Rectangular Form, Having Crossbanded And Inlaid Decoration To Top Enclosing Three Divisions, With Original Brass...
Category

Early 18th Century English George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Walnut Tea Caddy
18th Century Walnut Tea Caddy
$1,416 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique George III quality mahogany tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany tea caddy having a quality antique George III mahogany and satinwood inlaid stringing tea caddy with a lift up lid opening to reveal the original ...
Category

19th Century George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy with Prince of Wales Feathers
Located in Northampton, GB
Prince of Wales Feathers From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Antique Satinwood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of elongated hexagonal form edged in Ebony with del...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Ebony, Satinwood, Tulipwood

English George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Patera Inlay, ca. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
English George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Patera Inlay, ca. 1790
Category

1790s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Chawner English Georgian Neoclassical Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, 1788
Located in New York, NY
George III sterling silver tea caddy. Made by Henry Chawner in London in 1788. Oval with straight sides. Cover hinged and domed with beaded and carved wood finial set in leaf mount. ...
Category

1780s British Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

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 with solid cap, the interior with two lids retaining original turned bone knobs, sta...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Oak, Burl

Geometrically Inlaid Georgian Rosewood Two Chamber Tea Caddy w/Sugar Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Fine George III rosewood double chamber tea caddy with classical inspired geometric inlay of exotic woods including satinwood, mahogany, kingwood and palm. The rectangular case with ...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Hand Carved Crafted Fruit Wood Coco Georgian Victorian Tea Caddy Centerpiece LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Crafted Fruit Wood Coco Georgian Victorian Tea Caddy Centerpiece LA Very rare 19th century George III to Victorian coco nut “Coco de Me...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th Century Tea Caddy
Located in Richmond, London
An extremely rare, highly desirable, and sought-after model mid-18th century George III period tea caddy. Original brass-work. English, circa 1750. Why we like it Its distinctive a...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

18th Century Creamware Pottery Red-Printed Tea Caddy
Located in Downingtown, PA
18th Century Creamware Red-printed Tea Caddy, circa 1765-75 The creamware tea caddy or teapoy is rectangular in form with large panels to fr...
Category

Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Creamware

An English Fruitwood Apple Form Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine novelty fruitwood tea caddy in the form of an apple. lathe turned and with a soft honey patina, restoration to the lid at the hinge. England...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea Caddies (1768)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George III English sterling silver tea caddies by Pierre Gillois; an addition to our Georgian silverware collection. These except...
Category

1760s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy having a quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy with satinwood stringing inlay, with a lift up lid opening to reveal two lidded r...
Category

Early 19th Century George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Black Basalt Tea Caddy, 1st half 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Cylindrical tea caddy made of black basalt with silver mounting and figural nodus.
Category

Early 19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver tea caddies - boxed; an addition to our silver teaware collection These magnificent, fine and impressive antique Georgian silver tea caddies each have an oblong, bomb shaped form. The surface of each antique tea caddy is embellished with impressive chased and embossed scrolling floral and foliate decoration, incorporating paralleling undulating borders framing each side. The decoration to the body of each incorporates two cartouches, one displaying the contemporary engraved coat of arms depicting an oval escutcheon supported by a savage and a greyhound collared and chained, displaying firstly a stag's head and secondly three bars below three roundels. The coat of arms bears the motto 'Data fata secutus' - Following the destiny allotted to me*. These heraldic markings are surmounted with the crest of a mountain in flames, surmounted with the motto 'Luceo non uro' - I shine, not burn*. The cartouche to the opposing side of each caddy is ornamented with an impressive contemporary engraved crest of a greyhound courant. The remaining two sides of each impressive antique caddy...
Category

1750s British George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

20th Century Sterling Italian Silver Tea Caddy George III replica
Located in VALENZA, IT
George III tea caddy replica. Obtained from a silver sheet, it is rectangular in shape with shaped sides, it is embossed and chiseled with floral motifs and shells. The feet reprodu...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box
Located in Downingtown, PA
Pearlware Prattware pottery covered Botanical tea caddy box, Cambrian Pottery, Swansea Circa 1800-20 The rectangular-shaped pearlware pottery covered footed Tea Caddy is painted...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Circa 1780 Continental Porcelain Tea Caddy
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Continental tea caddy, c.1780, molded soft paste porcelain. Neoclassical swag decoration, gilt monogram. No cover. Harvey Gunter collection. 3 1/4"w., 1 1/4"d., 5"h. Whitehall Antiq...
Category

1780s European Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Porcelain

Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Georgian sterling silver tea caddy has an oval form. The surface of the tea caddy is plain and unembellished, with an applied reed decorated border to the upper and lower rims. This antique silver tea caddy retains the original hallmarked domed flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is surmounted with the original and exceptional silver topped oval button style finial. This antique Georgian tea caddy...
Category

1790s British George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Early 19th Century English George III Tea Caddy with Shell Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century English George III Tea Caddy with Shell Inlay
Category

19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

18th Century Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Made in the late 18th century into the early 19th century in the style of Georgian, and made from strong mahogany wood. Clamped together by metal hardware. There was once a key to lo...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
Located in Folkestone, GB
A fine quality rolled/scrolled paperwork single compartmemt tea caddy in good originl condition with minor losses. Decorated all-over with applied scrolls of gilt edged and coloured ...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Paper

Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
$1,151 Sale Price
20% Off
Georgian Sterling Silver Set of Two Tea Caddies
By Samuel Taylor
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver tea caddies; an addition to our silver teaware collection. These exceptional antique George II sterling silver tea caddies have a circular baluster shaped form. The surface of each antique tea caddy is embellished with very sharp, finely chased floral and foliate decoration, incorporating a scroll bordered vacant cartouche to either side. The ornamentation to the body of each piece incorporates a plain applied moulded girdle. These caddies are fitted with a cylindrical push fit covers encircled with leaf decorated textures. The covers are surmounted with the original cast sterling silver leaf decorated finials. These impressive antique tea caddies...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

English Calamander Hinged Tea Caddy with Flanking Brass Floral Handles, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Calamander hinged tea caddy with removable two lidded interior bins, centered mixing bowl, flanking brass floral side handles, locking key with tassel, and terminating on the...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Stunning Engraved Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1806
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1806 by Thomas Paine Dexter, this charming, George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is oval in shape, and in the Neoclassical taste, with bright cut engraved decoration to the body and lid, a tea plant finial, and an engraved crest to the cartouche. The tea caddy measures 4.25"(11cm) tall, by 4.5"(11.5cm) wide, by 3.25"(8.5cm) deep, and weighs 11 troy ounces. The crest is likely that of John Trotter...
Category

Early 1800s English Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Early 19th Century Mahogany Teapoy
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany teapoy, the shaped, crossbanded and hinged top opening to reveal two wooden containers with lids, with two compartment spaces ideal ...
Category

1810s British Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

English 1790 George III Quill Work Scrollwork Decorated Tea Caddy
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A wonderful 18th century George III quill work (scrollwork) tea caddy of elongated hexagon form. English circa 1790 Decorated with floral panels and ...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

A late George III mahogany tea caddy
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late George III mahogany tea caddy, of rectangular form the hinged top opening to reveal three compartments with sliding lids, with silver mounts including a foliate scroll handle,...
Category

19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

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.

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