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Tea Caddies

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Tea Caddies For Sale
Style: Georgian
Style: Empire
Georgian Burr Yew Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Burr Yew Inlaid Tea Caddy Circa 1780 From our Tea Caddies collection, we are thrilled to offer this square Georgian Burr Yew wood inlaid Tea Caddy. The Caddy of square form with c...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Boxwood, Yew

George III Period Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 18th century, Georgian Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy, Having Original Brass Handle To Hinged Top, Enclosing Divisions, With Unusual Glazed Panels To Front Bearin...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Hand Carved Apple Tea Caddy in Hardwood with Lined Interior, 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand made tea caddy Lidded box in the shape of an Apple, made from hardwood and dating to the 19th century. The Apple shaped box has a hinged lid with a short hand carve...
Category

19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Hardwood

Georgian Rosewood Oblong Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive, good quality, late 18th century rosewood oblong shaped tea caddy having satinwood strung mouldings and original brass hinges, with working lock and key. Constru...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

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 Ribbed Bucket Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Rare and unusual George III tea caddy in the form of a ribbed bucket. The tea caddy of beautiful shape with a ribbed exterior carved from alternating panels of plain Sycamore and...
Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Cut Steel

Antique Georgian Burl Walnut English Double Tea Caddy Box Cut Crystal Bowl 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Burr Walnut Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding quality, a...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

18th Century Georgian Period English Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
Beloved for its aesthetic beauty and exceptionally high quality, Georgian period furniture and decoration are arguably the most sought after and enduring pieces in British history. T...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood

Georgian Pear Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
This Unique Antique Pear Tea Caddy holds a beautiful shape and patination, has a steel hinge and escutcheon. This Pear Tea Caddy is topped with a rea...
Category

19th Century European George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

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

Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nice mellow patina on this 18th century English mahogany tea caddy with three interior compartments. Two end sections have incised geometric carved lids. Tapered all around from top ...
Category

1780s English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

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 foil landing. This particular caddy is relatively plain and simple in design, but is lifted significantly with the attractive inlaid decoration. It remains in relatively good condition and had clearly been well loved throughout its life. Tea was a precious commodity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and the purpose of a tea caddy was not just to preserve the and extend the life of the precious tea leaves, but also to enable the owner to lock away those aforementioned valuable tea leaves, keeping them safe from the house staffs potential wandering hands. This 18th century tea caddy...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

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

English Georgian Yew Wood Octagonal Tea Caddy with Oval Inlays on Five Sides
Located in Wells, ME
English Georgian Period yew wood octagonal tea caddy with oval inlays on five sides. The ovals are incased by a line inlay made up of tiny squares of sycamore, satinwood and rosewood...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Shaped as an Apple From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this superb Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy carved from Treen as a novelty Apple with a but...
Category

Early 19th Century George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Steel

Antique English Georgian Style Inlaid Mahogany Bombe Shaped Tea Caddy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Georgian style mahogany tea caddy. Of bombé form with fruit wood inlay, gilt brass mounts & handle, and bracket feet. Simply a wonderful, rare form! Date: L...
Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Very Good Georgian Burr Elm Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy, U.K, circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome early 19th century Georgian sarcophagus-shaped tea caddy in burr elm. The highly figured case fitted with a hinged canted top with a cross-banded edge, opening to an interior housing twin lidded tea canisters flanking a period cut-glass mixing bowl...
Category

Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Elm, Cut Glass

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

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

George III Scarlet Tole Tea Caddy
Located in Essex, MA
Oval with hinged lid and axe head brass finial and trim.
Category

1790s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Georgian Mahogany Oblong Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Good Quality 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Oblong Tea Caddy Having Well Figured & Inlaid  Hinged Lid Enclosing Original Paper Lined Interior With Original Solid Lead Lid (Te...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

English Georgian Period Yew Wood Octagonal Tea Caddy with Fan and Column Inlays
Located in Wells, ME
English Georgian 18th century yew wood octagonal tea caddy inlaid with fan and column motifs in satinwood, sycamore and boxwood. Multiple lines of stringing in satinwood, boxood and ...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

George III English Inlaid Mahogany Tea Caddy, circa 1820
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning and most unusual Georgian tea caddy made from mahogany and inlaid with four oval satinwood panels. Another unusual feature is the fine Greek Key inlay to both the the lid and top. The interior has two lidded compartments later covered in paper which can be seen in the photographs. The front houses the tasselled key (unfortunately not working but the perfect finishing touch). A really delightful antique caddy...
Category

1810s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

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

Satinwood, Walnut, Sycamore, Boxwood

Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Double Cover Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking double cover tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique George III sterling silver locking tea caddy has a plain rounded rectangular form with incurved corners. The surface of this caddy is plain and embellished to the lower portion of each side with fluted decoration. This antique Georgian tea caddy...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver, Sterling 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

18th Century Georgian Paper Scrolled Quilled Satinwood Tea Caddy
Located in Benington, Herts
A wonderful 18th century George III quill work (scrollwork) tea caddy of hexagon form. English circa 1790 Finely executed, this very attractive caddy ...
Category

1790s British Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood

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

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

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

English Georgian Double Tea Caddy with Boxwood Shell and Column Inlays
Located in Wells, ME
English Georgian double tea caddy in satinwood with oval panels inlaid with shaded boxwood shells, the front panels are facing shells and the top has a more elaborate frilly edged sh...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood

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

English Silver Plated Lion Head Shield Tea Caddy Biscuit Barrel Jar Ice Bucket
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage made in England biscuit barrel, tea caddy or small ice bucket made of metal mesh with shield accent (no monogram) and lions head handles. Incl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique 18c/19c English or French Enamel Bronze Mounted Tea Caddy Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique enamel tea caddy. With a gilt bronze mounted lid. In the South Staffordshire manner. Decorated with floral sprays and rocaille swags to all sides. Likely...
Category

Early 19th Century French Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

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

1780s British Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

English Calamander Hinged Tea Caddy with Flanking Brass Floral Handles, C. 1800
Located in Hollywood, 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

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 M...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass, Metal

English Black Lacquered and Gilt Stenciled Figural Pagoda Tea Caddy, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, 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

Georgian Burl Yew and Satinwood Octagonal Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Panels
Located in Downingtown, PA
George III Burl Yew and Satinwood Octagonal Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Panels, Circa, 1790, The burl yew double tea caddy is of an octagonal form with canted corners. The interior ...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Burl

c. 1765 George III Tea Caddy
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
George III tea caddy, circa 1765, English. Raised on later Regency brass ball feet. Mahogany on oak. Working lock. Alterations circa 1780 to the i...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Oak

Rare 18th Century Antique Danish Silver Tea Caddy, Made in Copenhagen in 1777
Located in London, London
Marked with the Copenhagen hallmark for 1777 and the assay masters mark of Christopher Fabritius (assay master from 1749 - 1787) with an unrecorded makers mark, this handsome, Antique silver tea caddy...
Category

1770s Danish George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

18th Century Scottish Horn and Polished Stone Tea/Tobacco Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A BEAUTIFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE 18th Century Scottish Horn and Polished Stone Tea Caddy or Tobacco Jar. This is a piece of Scottish history !!...
Category

18th Century Scottish George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Bone, Horn, Precious Stone

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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