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Tea Caddies For Sale
Lovely Set of French Food Canisters Original French Enamel Canister
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Lovely Set of French Food Canisters
Original French Enamel Canister set is a complete set of five pieces, Sucre, Café, Farine, Thé and Cereals. The canisters are attractively shaped...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Tin
Impressive William IV Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy in Contrasting Exotic Woods
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Large and impressive William IV tea caddy of sarcophagus form in exotic woods. The exterior in nicely grained contrasting dark and light woods bordered with gadroon moldings and with...
Category
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
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 'ÂLuceo 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
21st century Italian Sterling Silver hexagonal Tea/Candy Box
By Del Conte
Located in VALENZA, IT
21st century Italian Sterling Silver hexagonal Tea/Caddy Box
Hexagonal sterling silver tea box,
shaped completely by hand.
The body has rounded edges and has been left completely s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Victorian Cormandel Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy, circa 1850
Located in Banner Elk, NC
English Victorian cormandel tea caddy decorated with mother of pearl and brass studs, circa 1850s. Cormandel was considered one of the most luxurious woods and only used on the fines...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Antique English Regency Mahogany Tea Chest Robert Wright
Located in Northampton, GB
With Twin Caddies & Hand Cut Glass Sugar Bowl
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Regency Cuban Mahogany Tea Chest by Robert Wright. The Tea Chest of ...
Category
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early Victorian Penwork Tea Caddy
Located in Montreal, QC
This tea caddy is of sarcophagus form, oblong with a raised panelled lid, painted with autumnal fruit and flowers. The exterior is brilliantly decorated in penwork with stylised flow...
Category
1840s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
Antique Continental Novelty Pear Fruit Tea Caddy Circa 1800
Located in Northampton, GB
Free Worldwide Shipping
Novelty Antique Fruit Tea Caddy
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Continental Novelty Pear Fruit Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy turned...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sycamore
Antique Georgian 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 a cylindrical form.
The upper and lower portions of this Aesthetic style silver tea caddy is embellished with bands of bright cut engraved floral bud designs; further vertical bands segment the body into five equal portions, each encompassed with undulating wrigglework borders.
The anterior portion of the body is ornamented with a bright cut engraved rectangular cut cornered cartouche encompassed with a radiating simplified floral and scrolling foliate decoration and featuring the contemporary engraved crest of a lion's head collared and erased.
The further four segments bear Chinoiserie bright cut engraved Chinese symbols representing the four seasons: spring (? / chun), summer (? / xia), autumn (? / qiu) and winter (? / dong).
This antique silver tea caddy retains the original hallmarked flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece.
The cover is encompassed with further bands of bright cut engraved decoration, reflecting the designs to the body.
This impressive cover is surmounted with the original, exceptional carved wood and sterling silver pineapple...
Category
1780s British George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of English Tortoise Shell Victorian Silver Mounted Tea Caddies c.1890
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Pair of English Tortoise Shell Victorian Silver Mounted Tea Caddies c.1890 w/ Original Keys.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
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
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
Green Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
Green tortoiseshell tea caddy from England. With two interior covers raised on four silver ball feet. Circa 1870.
Category
1870s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Elegant English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1902
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning tea caddy, oval in shape with a simple elegant body and domed lid, both upper and lower rims beautifully decorated with a raised border.
The hinged lid working perfectly ...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
1860s English Tea Box on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 19th-century English-imported tea box from China. Decorated with beautiful red and black hand-painted flora and fauna, and equipped with rectangular iron handles, the box is mou...
Category
1860s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Mahogany and Tin Hinged Painted Figural Tea Bins, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese mahogany and tin hinged painted tea bins with gilt figural stenciling and decorative landscape scenes with bird motif, Mid-19th century.
Category
1840s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Metal
Pear form Tea Caddy
Located in Huntington, NY
Late 18th Century George III Pear form Fruitwood Tea Caddy
With wooden stem, and an iron keyhole, escutcheon plate, its interior with remnants of the original silver leaf. The pi...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Iron
$6,250
Georgian Sterling Silver Set of Two Tea Caddies
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
Rosewood Tea Caddy with Ebony, Ivory and Porcupine Quill Detailing
Located in Hudson, NY
Made of rosewood, this antique tea caddy is distinguished by its porcupine quill detailing. Featuring elements of ebony and ivory dots, the hinge lidded box...
Category
19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Ivory, Ebony
$1,080 Sale Price
40% Off
19th Century American Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by Shreve, Stanwood & Co, Boston
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This hand chased heavy gauge sterling tea caddy was made in Boston by renowned makers Shreve and Stanwood, and weighs approximately 15 ounces.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Colonial Revival Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
Brass, Metal
$10,400 Sale Price
25% Off
Enamel Tea Caddy Vienna 18th Century with Landscape
Located in Epfach, DE
A very nice enamel tea caddy, Vienna 18th century, paintings with landscape and couples on all sides and on the top and gold ornamentation.
Category
1760s Austrian Rococo Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Enamel
$1,202 Sale Price
20% Off
19th century French oak and brass mounted tea caddy by Tahan of Paris C1880
Located in Central England, GB
A most impressive and highly decorative French large size double tea caddy made in tightly grained rich oak.
The rectangular box stands on circular shaped brass feet with brass bea...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
English Victorian Silver Plate Tea Caddy, circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian silver plate tea caddy, circa 1860
In shape of a beehive. Also can be used as a box.
Category
1860s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver Plate
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
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
19th Century Chinese Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted with chinoiserie motif. Original inserts with etching.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Zinc
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
Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy
Located in Huntington, NY
Regency rosewood sarcophagus form Tea Caddy. With circular
Brass keyhole escutcheon plate.
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Silver tea box with engraved monogram card & knobbed lid
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box with engravings surrounding the monogram card and a knob on the hinged lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Mark: standing eagle. Weight: 358.92 grams....
Category
20th Century European Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
$1,575 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Indian Silver Tea Caddy by Grish Chunder Dutt
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Indian silver tea caddy, an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional antiqu...
Category
1880s Indian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
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
American Mahogany Tea Caddy Signed Tiffany New York. Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany tea caddy with original fitted nickel plated divided interior. Signed Tiffany New York . Late 19th Century
Category
19th Century American Antique Tea Caddies
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Bombay Wood Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique French tea caddy in Napoleon III style, wit a bended “forme arbalète” lid. The box is veneered with various types of wood, burl wal...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Pair of English Regency Red Tôle & Gilt Chinoiserie Tea Caddies, Nos. 2 & 4
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of English Regency Red Tôle & Gilt Chinoiserie Tea Caddies, Nos. 2 & 4, numbered ‘2’ and ‘4’ in the traditional English manner, indicating different tea varieties within...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Metal
Dutch Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Montreal, QC
Of oval outline; the body repousse with scenes of merrymaking, after Teniers, the hinged cover with radiating design and pierced gallery. Very well-made, this is a cheerful Dutch box...
Category
1920s Dutch Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
$1,200
19th Century Rosewood Tea Caddy With Cut Glass Tumbler
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Rosewood tea caddy with a molded lid and bun feet. The interior includes two lidded compartments and a central section fitted with a cut glass tumbler, likely used for mixing. Red em...
Category
19th Century British Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
19thC Antique Folk Art Treenware Carved Turned Wood Tea Caddy Box Handpainted
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking antique 19th-century treenware tea caddy is a beautiful example of folk art craftsmanship. Skillfully hand-carved and turned from wood, this charming caddy features a r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
English Regency Tea Caddy with Original Key
Located in Tampa, FL
A distinguished English Regency tea caddy, likely dating to the 1830s, featuring a red leather lined interior and a velvet bottom. The caddy retains its original twin tea holders and...
Category
1830s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality antique Victorian burr walnut tea caddy having a fabulous burr walnut box with an ornate engraved brass top opening to reveal two burr walnut arched top tea caddi...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy Image of Carew Castle c1860
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Converted Tunbridge ware tea caddy with image of Carew Castle
Date : c1860
Period : Victorian
Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Rosewood Teapoy Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
An unusual and large William IV rosewood teapoy or tea caddy in beautiful original condition. The glass mixing bowl is missing, England, circa 1830.
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Rosewood
Victorian Rosewood Inlaid Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is this 19th Century Victorian antique rosewood inlaid marquetry tea caddy sarcophagus-form box, in good condition with marquetry to the top and front with brass star carryi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Rosewood
19th Century Sea Captain's Tea Caddy
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th century sea captain's tea caddy, circa 1830, made of coramandel wood gathered in the Spice Islands China Trade, with sailor's grommet-spliced rope becket handles. The inte...
Category
Early 19th Century American Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
1970's Mexican Don S. Shoemaker Set of 4 Mixed Woods Spice Boxes / Tea Caddies
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1970's Mexican mixed hardwood set of 4 spice boxes by American designer Don S. Shoemaker. The geometric shaped boxes with round covers are designed with bands of different woods.
...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
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
$1,106 Sale Price
20% Off
Box Cannister Caddy Brass Tobacco Tea Dutch
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A charming early tobacco box or tea cannister
Unusual, large size
Lovely soft contours which enhances the reflection of light in the interior
Original condition including hinges
length 21cm., 8 1/4" depth 7.5cm., 3" height 11cm., 4 1/2".
The Dutch were the main importers of tobacco in the 18th century and manufactured tobacco boxes to sell with...
Category
18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Circular silver tea box with pearly frieze and monogram
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Circular silver tea box with pearly reliefs on the frieze and monogram card in the center. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: javali II Title. Weight: 247.62 gram...
Category
19th Century European Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
$1,225 Sale Price
30% Off
Large Regency Tea Caddy
Located in Tampa, FL
A rather large and wonderful mahogany regency tea caddy. It is trimmed out with an inlay and an ivory keyhole. The interior is four inches deep in the tea compartments, does not have...
Category
1890s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Small Walnut Tea Caddy
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Small walnut tea caddy of rectangular form with a hinged lid outlined by simple line inlay. The lid opens to a fitted interior with a divided compartment and lined underside.
Category
19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Walnut
A Very Fine Edwardian Period Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by Asprey of London, 1908
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
This very fine & relatively heavy sterling silver tea caddy is of timeless design, showing an oval shaped canister decorated with an elegant reeded border to both the shoulder & base...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy With Divided Interior
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Rectangular mahogany tea caddy featuring a beveled lid with raised handle, resting on small bun feet. The interior is lined in red and fitted with two lidded compartments for storing...
Category
19th Century British Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century carved mahogany teapoy stamped Gillows
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Superb quality Gillows regency mahogany teapoy circa 1820.
The main body being of sarcophagus form, which opens to 4 mahogany slides on each corner, 1 large tole compartment flanked...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Tin
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
Set of 6 Mindanao Brass Silver Betel Boxes, Philippines
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an amazing set of 6 Mindanao brass silver betel boxes, Philippines.
Betel chewing was prevalent in the southern Philippines as in much o...
Category
Late 19th Century Philippine Islamic Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Antique English George III 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
Antique English George III Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal form veneered in Harewood with inlaid twin Tuscan Columns ...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood
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
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
French Black Lacquer, Mother of Pearl and Brass Inlay Tea Caddy
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautiful tea caddy with original key and original interior it is black lacquer, mother of pearl and has a brass inlay design all over the box. 19th century, France.
Category
19th Century French 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.
More Ways To Browse
Tea Bin
Antique French Tea Caddy
Antique Japanese Tea Box
Antique Japanese Tea Caddy
Footed Tea Caddy
Tea Caddy Stand
Tea Caddy With Key
Antique Apple Boxes
Antique Fruitwood Tea Caddy
Bombe Tea Caddy
Chinese Pewter Tea Caddy
Fruit Tea Caddy
Monkey Teapot
Tortoiseshell Box 18th Century
Japanese Canister
Pewter Canister
Wooden Canister
Antique Coffee Bean Dispenser