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Tea Caddies For Sale
Style: Victorian
Style: Georgian
Handmade Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlay Tea Caddy With Brass Hinges
Located in High Wycombe, GB
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
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 partial paper foil lining.
This particular caddy is relatively plain and simple in design, but the attractive inlaid decoration lifts it significantly.
The condition remains relatively good and clearly it has 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
Antique Victorian quality silver plated tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality silver plated tea caddy having a quality reeded lid, lions head ring handles to both sides, reeded decoration round the body having the original key with wo...
Category
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver Plate
Georgian Mahogany & Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive and good quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany oblong tea caddy, retaining good colour and patina, having attractive inlaid decoration to front and hinged lid...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Eridge Castle Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy c1860
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Two compartment Tunbridge ware tea caddy
Date : c1860
Period : Victoria
Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Decoration : The cover decorated with Hollamby's version of Eridge Ca...
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
English Georgian Burl Yew Double Tea Caddy with Line Inlay and Crossbanding
Located in Wells, ME
English Georgian burl yew coffered top double tea caddy. The burl yew is accented with delicate line inlay in satinwood and with kingwood crossbanding. When open the two lidded ...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood, Yew, Burl
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
Oval Satinwood inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Folkestone, GB
A very fine quality stainwood and inlaid oval single compartment tea caddy. the top inlaid with a well executed oval patera within an ebony cross-banding. the front inlaid with a c...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Satinwood
Georgian Satinwood Tea Chest with Secret Compartments
Located in Northampton, GB
Georgian Tea Chest with Boxwood & Ebony Checkered Stringing
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Rare Georgian Satinwood Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of rectang...
Category
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
English Georgian Serpentine Tortoise Shell & Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy, C. 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Georgian serpentine tortoise shell and mother of pearl hinged tea caddy with four flanking inlaid corner columns, central escutcheon, bone fitted interior border with two lidded tortoiseshell foil lined compartments, and resting on the original four bone ball...
Category
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Foil
Antique Tinware Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Simulated Wood Tin Tea Caddy
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Tinware Tea Caddy. The Caddy of hexagonal shape fully hand-p...
Category
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Tin
19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate / Oak Tea Caddy
By Sheffield
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this 19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate Tea Caddy, expertly framed with rich oak. This tea caddy represents a harmonious fusion of functi...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver Plate
Georgian Oval Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Oval Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of elongated Oval form veneered in Harewood with Box...
Category
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Inlay & Burled Crossbanding
Located in Atlanta, GA
George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Inlay & Burled Crossbanding, ca. 1790
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
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
Georgian Tuscan Column 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 exterior and crossbanded Tulipwood with Boxwood edging. The front features an oval cartouche with a central fan inlay matching the lid with a further fan inlay surmounted by turned bone...
Category
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood, Tulipwood, Harewood
A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A Fine and Rare Late 18th Century George III Satinwood Octagonal Box, C.1790.
The kingwood crossbanded sectional top with ebony and box stringing is finely laid around a central in...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood
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
19th Century, Rosewood & Brass Scent Box
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming and particularly good quality mid-19th century, Victorian Period, rosewood perfume scent box, with attractive brass bound decoration and hinged li...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
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
Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Richard Morton & Co
Located in Northampton, GB
Sheffield Silversmith Richard Morton & Co 1779
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of oval shape and unus...
Category
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
With Conch Shell Inlay
From our Tea Caddy Collection, we are pleased to offer this superb Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangula...
Category
18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood
Silver plated and faux tortoiseshell tea canister
Located in East Geelong, VIC
The bombe shape of this small tea canister is made of silver plate and covered with faux tortoiseshell. The domed lid is topped with a ball knop and the piece sits on four silver pla...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver Plate
Mahogany Tea Caddy, Sarcophagus form, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Sarcophagus mahogany tea caddy
Very rare retaining it's origanal removable lidded compartments made of
cigar box mahogany, as well as its origanal Cut glass mix...
Category
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
English Georgian Tea Caddy with Inlay and Interior Lid, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English Georgian Tea Caddy with Inlay and Interior Lid, 19th Century
Category
19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
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
Georgian Novelty Apple 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 button stalk, shaped body and shaped cut steel escutcheon. When opened the Caddy reveals traces of the original tin foil lining for housing Tea leaves. The Apple Fruit Tea Caddy...
Category
Early 1800s European Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
Antique Georgian Locking Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Henry Chawner London 1787
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Georgian engraved sterling silver tea caddy, by Henry Chawner, London, 1787.
Of fluted oval form with bright-cut floral borders with ...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
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
English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Georgian Chinroserie bow front tortoise shell tea caddy with a hinged tiered lid, Chinese landscape mother of pearl inlays with flanking pagodas, fences, & foliage trees, central paktong plaque and escutcheon, bone fitted interior border with two lidded tortoiseshell foil lined compartments, and resting on the original four bone ball...
Category
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Foil
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 d...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
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
Antique George III Quality Rosewood and Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality rosewood and brass tea caddy having a quality George III rosewood tea caddy with original brass mounts, handle and key openi...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass, Other
Vintage Jasperware Christmas Mugs by Wedgwood Set of 4 circa 1970's
By Wedgwood
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Jasperware Christmas Mugs by WEDGWOOD Set of 4 circa 1970's, Made in England.
Lovely raised applied white jasper design detailing mugs featuring British monuments, Christmas mug from 1972 to 1975.
Vintage collectable 1970's Wedgwood of England pale blue Jasperware mugs...
Category
Late 20th Century English Late Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Porcelain
Antique English Coromandel Brass Mounted Wooden Double Tea Caddy 19th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and exceptional example of a well grained Dome Topped Fully Fitted Double Coromandle Tea Caddy of compact proportions, late 19th century, of English origin.
The rectangular hinged lid opening to reveal an original sectional interior complete with twin dome shaped finial covers, the outer body with lavish polished brass applied decorative mounts
Condition: Good condition, original good surface patination. Lock is present, key does not turn, some wear to fabric under the lid.
Height: 6.5" (16.5cm). Width: 8.5" (21.5cm). Depth: 4.5" (11.5cm).
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Affordable Fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping.
Coromandel: also known as Makassar Ebony, is a member of the genus Diospyros and one of the plants commonly known as ebony. Coromandel ebony wood is variegated, streaky brown and black, nearly always wide striped. It is considered a highly valuable wood for turnery, fine cabinet work and joinery.
The tree grows up to 20 meters under favourable circumstances, although such trees are rarely seen nowadays. Since Coromandel ebony has been a woodworker's favorite for centuries, most of it has been felled and used in high quality furniture. The natural area of distribution are some Indonesian islands.As this exceptionally beautiful species of the Ebonies has been much appreciated by woodworkers all over the world through the past 2 centuries...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Antique Victorian Brass Inlaid Mahogany French Double Tea Caddy Box Casket 19ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A superb example of a French well figured brass inlaid Rosewood, late Victorian period double interior section tea caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding quality, all areas are edged with self-quadrant mouldings, complete with original lock and key. Last quarter of the 19th century.
The hinged cover opens to reveal an original fitted interior of twin smooth lift out finial covers.
Condition: superb condition with no losses to inlays, interior foil linings are quite worn. Baise underneath has wonderful age-wear, very nice untouched surface patination. Lock is present and working, key supplied does not turn mechanism.
Measures: height: (overall as shown) 4.75” (12cm). Width: 9.25” (23.5cm). Depth: 4.75” (12cm).
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Affordable fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping offered...
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
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
Georgian Tea Caddy Henry Clay 'Attributed'
By Henry Clay
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
Coopered Barrel Advertising Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Rare & Unusual Advertising Tea Barrel Caddy
The Tea Caddy modelled in the form of a coopered barrel complete with two thick brass straps around a beautifully patinated body with a mahogany plinth having a cavetto edge. The lid with a matching cavetto edge having a beautiful star inlay motif surmounted by a turned finial in the shape of an acorn. The front of the caddy is beautifully inlaid in Ebony with the word Tea in a 3d effect. We are confident this Caddy would have been commissioned as an advertising piece for a luxury tea shop in the mid-19th century with tea being such a desirable commodity in higher society.
Provenance Sold at Grosvenor House antique fair...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
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
Victorian Hungarian Ash Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming Mid-19th Century hungarian ash tea caddy of unusual design, having applied tablet & chequered strung decoration to well figured exterior, with slightly domed hinged top en...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Ash
Victorian Period Sterling Silver Tea Caddy With Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver tea caddy with hinged lid, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1891, Stokes and Ireland, Ltd. - makers. Lovely design, having a square pedestal...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver
Pair of Mixed Wood Tea and Coffee Vessels
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of late 19th Century English or Scottish mixed wood treen coffee and tea containers, having compass star inlaid turned lids over turned bodies of ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany, Birch
Antique English Walnut Tea Caddy Small Desk Box Victorian with Dovetail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English walnut tea caddy small desk box Victorian with Dovetail. Item features dovetailed joints, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice antique item. Circa...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
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 Scottish Stuart Tartanware Tea Caddy Circa 1860 Victorian
Located in London, GB
A 19th century Stuart Tartanware tea caddy. A single compartment caddy, marked Stuart to lid; 4 1/4 inches (11 cm) Tall by 4 1/4 inches (11 cm) Wide by 4 inches (10.2 cm) Deep. This ...
Category
1860s Scottish Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
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
Decorative Box, Mahogany, England, circa 1880
Located in Regensburg, DE
Mahogany solid wood, Shellac and-polished.
Brass hinges and lock.
Dimensions: H 60 cm x W 28.3 cm x 16.5 cm.
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th Century English Wedgewood Retailed Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
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, rectangular chest form finished in rich burled walnut, having a shaped hinged lid featuring an inset Wedgwood Jasperware plaque of Cupid riding a lion. Locking, retaining the original key, the top opening to reveal an interior fitted with two lidded compartments, one lid marked B (black tea...
Category
19th Century English Victorian 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
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 pati...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
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
2 Vintage Italian Toleware Painted Metal Tea Caddy Footed Trinket Box Cannisters
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of two vintage toleware painted tin tea caddy boxes with paw feet. Yellow one marked “Made in Italy 71.”. Circa 1970s after styles from Italy and...
Category
1970s Victorian Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Metal
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
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
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 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
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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