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Tea Caddies

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Tea Caddies For Sale
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

Large Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy
Large Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy

Large Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A good quality Georgian 18th century mahogany rectangular tea caddy having replacement brass axe drop handle to hinged lid enclosing cavity with attractive inlaid decoration throughout. Tea was of course a very 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...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Octagonal Tea Caddy, Burr Yew Wood, England, Circa 1800
Georgian Octagonal Tea Caddy, Burr Yew Wood, England, Circa 1800

Georgian Octagonal Tea Caddy, Burr Yew Wood, England, Circa 1800

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

An Early 19th Century, George III Period, Burr Yew Wood Tea Caddy Of Octagonal Form, Having Superbly Figured Veneers And Attractive Strung Decoration Throughout, The Hinged Lid Enc...

Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

George II period rococo design tea caddy suite made in London 1739 by John Pero
George II period rococo design tea caddy suite made in London 1739 by John Pero

George II period rococo design tea caddy suite made in London 1739 by John Pero

By John Pero

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1739 by John Pero, this stunning suite of George II Period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddies and Sugar Caddy, are in the Rococo taste, featuring flat chase...

Category

1730s English Rococo Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Burr Yew 19th Century Tea Caddy
Burr Yew 19th Century Tea Caddy

Burr Yew 19th Century Tea Caddy

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

Antique English Coromandel Wooden Double Tea Caddy by Thomas Lund 19th Century
Antique English Coromandel Wooden Double Tea Caddy by Thomas Lund 19th Century

Antique English Coromandel Wooden Double Tea Caddy by Thomas Lund 19th Century

Located in Dublin, Ireland

A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Coromandle Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding quality, al...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Mid-20th Century Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Cylindrical Bamboo Tea Caddy
Mid-20th Century Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Cylindrical Bamboo Tea Caddy

Mid-20th Century Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Cylindrical Bamboo Tea Caddy

Located in Pomona, CA

This is a antique Chinese hand-painted cylindrical tea caddy (chazutsu), crafted from natural bamboo. It features an artisan-carved and hand-painted relief decoration depicting a gol...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Caddies

Materials

Bamboo

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

Antique Teapoy English William iv Rosewood Work Box, 19th Century, circa 1835
Antique Teapoy English William iv Rosewood Work Box, 19th Century, circa 1835

Antique Teapoy English William iv Rosewood Work Box, 19th Century, circa 1835

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique teapoy, an English, William IV, rosewood work box dating to the early 19th century, circa 1835. Superb color in the polished rosew...

Category

Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

20Thc Tin Coffee Canister
20Thc Tin Coffee Canister

20Thc Tin Coffee Canister

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Early 20Thc Coffee tin canister in original painted labels & original condition.

Category

Early 20th Century American Adirondack Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Rare Regency Brass Inlaid Rosewood Tea Caddy with Secret Drawer
Rare Regency Brass Inlaid Rosewood Tea Caddy with Secret Drawer

Rare Regency Brass Inlaid Rosewood Tea Caddy with Secret Drawer

Located in Kittery Point, ME

Of sarcophagus form with geometric brass stringing throughout, with embossed gilt-brass ring handles to the sides, the interior fitted with twin lidded lead-lined caddies separated by a glass mixing bowl, raised on brass paw feet. With a secret drawer.

Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy
Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy

Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A Chinese hexagonal cast brass tea caddy, early 20th century. Each rectangular side with a shou symbol surrounded by five stylized bats on blue enamel ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy
French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy

French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

Single Tea Caddy Compartment From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to bring to market this Antique French Boulle Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy o...

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Georgian Octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy
Georgian Octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy

Georgian Octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy

Located in Greenwich, CT

Fine George III octagonal tea caddy inlaid with various woods on a harewood ground, the central panels veneered with coucous wood and banded by holly stringing around a kingwood band, vines and berried...

Category

1780s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Burl, Holly, Harewood, Kingwood, Ebony

English Early Tea Caddy
English Early Tea Caddy

English Early Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

English early large and beautifully decorated tea cadd with its compartments lids with ivory knobs top on the lids. Beautifully inlaid on the front of the escutcheon. The interior me...

Category

1810s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy

18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy

Located in Forney, TX

A fine quality Regency Era / Georgian Period tea caddy set in sumptuous plum-pudding mahogany. Exquisitely hand-crafted in England at the turn of the late 18th / early 19th century,...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Velvet, Cut Glass, Boxwood, Mahogany, Satinwood

Georgian Original Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy
Georgian Original Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy

Georgian Original Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

George III Circa 1785 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Rare Original Hand-Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of Octagonal form veneered in Sycamo...

Category

Late 18th Century George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

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

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A large octagonal form Chinese export tea caddy in black lacquer decorated throughout in gilt and red with figural garden scenes, pavilions, and dense scrolling foliage. The lid pane...

Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint

Mahogany Tea Chest, probably England, circa 1830
Mahogany Tea Chest, probably England, circa 1830

Mahogany Tea Chest, probably England, circa 1830

Located in New York, NY

Elegant mahogany tea chest featuring a decorative edge in light wood grain and a handle on the lid. The interior is meticulously lined with a light fabric, incorporating two hinged b...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

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

Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy Attributed to Smiths
Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy Attributed to Smiths

Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy Attributed to Smiths

Located in Northampton, GB

Acorn Design From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy attributed to Smiths. The Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy of rectangular form ma...

Category

Early 19th Century Scottish Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Circa 1765 George III Period Tea Caddy Box, English
Circa 1765 George III Period Tea Caddy Box, English

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 origina...

Category

1760s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

English Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy
English Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy

English Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy

Located in Bradenton, FL

Early 19th Century Sarcophagus Shaped Mahogany Tea Caddy. Caddy is shaped box-like with a rectangular form and sloped sides, resembling ancient coffins. Richly grained mahogany with ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century
Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century

Located in Sweden, SE

Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. High quality work of applied arts in Neoclassical (Biedermeier) style. The fork of...

Category

Late 19th Century Empire Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy by Thomas Barton c1870
Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy by Thomas Barton c1870

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy by Thomas Barton c1870

By Tunbridge Ware

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Tunbridge ware tea caddy by Thomas Barton c1870 Date : c1870 Period : Victoria Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Central floral mosaic with dentil stringing. ...

Category

1870s British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy
A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy

A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A 20th Century Hand Painted Hinged Lidded Tea Caddy In The Shape Of An Apple With A Metal Patinated Stalk A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea...

Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Sunburst Design
Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Sunburst Design

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Sunburst Design

Located in Dallas, TX

Circa 1870, English tortoiseshell tea caddy with sunburst design. It is absolutely the finest one I’ve ever owned! No cracks no restoration absolutely mint.

Category

1870s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Chinese Coconut tea pot - China - late 18th / early 19th - Qing - Asian Art
Chinese Coconut tea pot - China - late 18th / early 19th - Qing - Asian Art

Chinese Coconut tea pot - China - late 18th / early 19th - Qing - Asian Art

Located in Beuzevillette, FR

Very pretty and old tea pot, gourd shaped, in sculpted coconut, chiseled and mounted on pewter. The cap is also made of pewter. The coconut is decorated with imperial motifs. Chinese...

Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy
Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy

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

Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box
Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box

Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box

Located in Downingtown, PA

Charming Utility: A Swansea Pearlware Prattware Covered Tea Caddy Box, c. 1800-1820 This is an exceptional example of an early 19th-century Pearlware Tea Caddy Box, distinguished by...

Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

George III Burr Yew Tea Chest
George III Burr Yew Tea Chest

George III Burr Yew Tea Chest

Located in Northampton, GB

Lined with Red Velvet Circa 1790 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Burr Yew Wood Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of rectangular form featuring quadrant B...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Cut Glass, Yew

Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780
Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780

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

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

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

Located in Dallas, TX

PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Anglo Indian Rosewood Caddy with Silver Mounts. Really nice and unusual, 19th Century Anglo-Indian Spice or Tea Caddy, from cir...

Category

Late 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy
Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy

Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

Karlsbad Czech Republic From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy. The Rosewood Tea Caddy of square form with rounded edges made from R...

Category

Late 19th Century Czech Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Nickel

Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies by Elizabeth Godfrey, 1750
Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies by Elizabeth Godfrey, 1750

Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies by Elizabeth Godfrey, 1750

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

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

Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s
Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s

Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s

By Fabienne Jouvin

Located in Stockholm, SE

Produced in Paris by Fabienne Jouvin, 1980s. Very good condition with signs of usage and patina.

Category

1980s French French Provincial Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Enamel

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

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

Mid-19th Century American Chinoiserie Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800
English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800

English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800

Located in Charleston, 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

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy
Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy

Located in Greenwich, CT

Fine English Regency mahogany caddy with canted sides and shaped hinged top with ebony stringing and original brass paw feet. Good color and patina.

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Fine quality antique George III tea caddy
Fine quality antique George III tea caddy

Fine quality antique George III tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Fine quality antique George III tea caddy, having a quality antique George III satinwood tea caddy with a lift up lid opening to reveal two removable compartments for tea and a glass...

Category

19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Large 19th Century English Mahogany Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy
Large 19th Century English Mahogany Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy

Large 19th Century English Mahogany Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy

Located in Atlanta, GA

England, circa 1880. A large sarcophagus form tea caddy box in mahogany. Resting on four bun feet and opens to reveal a tin lined casing, two covered tea sections and a central crys...

Category

19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal

Art Deco Box, 1930, France
Art Deco Box, 1930, France

Art Deco Box, 1930, France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Mirror

Antique Chinese Lead & Bronze Tea Caddy With Glass Covered Panels
Antique Chinese Lead & Bronze Tea Caddy With Glass Covered Panels

Antique Chinese Lead & Bronze Tea Caddy With Glass Covered Panels

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Antique Chinese 9-sided lead & bronze tea caddy with 18 hand-painted panels (behind glass) with ornate frames. Raised seal mark on base. The tea caddy with a removable domed lid and ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tea Caddies

Materials

Bronze, Lead

Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy
Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy

Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy, having a outstanding quality 19th Century rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid sarcophagus shaped tea caddy, with a quality carved mou...

Category

Early 19th Century Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

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

Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy
Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy

Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy having a quality coromandel wood tea caddy with ringlet carrying handles to both sides and a...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy
19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy

19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).

Category

Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Dutch Dome-Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Mounts, Circa 1830
Dutch Dome-Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Mounts, Circa 1830

Dutch Dome-Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Mounts, Circa 1830

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine Dutch late Regency or early Biedermeier period tea caddy, circa 1830, veneered in richly mottled tortoiseshell with deep amber, chestnut, and dark brown figuring. The compact ...

Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

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.