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Tea Caddies

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Tea Caddies For Sale
Victorian silver-plate mounted coco de mer Caddy Late 19th / early 20th century
Victorian silver-plate mounted coco de mer Caddy Late 19th / early 20th century

Victorian silver-plate mounted coco de mer Caddy Late 19th / early 20th century

Located in London, GB

Victorian silver-plate mounted coco de mer Caddy Late 19th / early 20th century The naturally formed coco de mer shell mounted in silver plate, the hinged lid with an applied pierce...

Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver Plate, Foil

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy, England, circa 1830
Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy, England, circa 1830

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy, England, circa 1830

Located in San Francisco, CA

A rosewood tea caddy with Bombay shape and canted top. Having a pair of lion mask brass handles on each end and sitting on claw and ball feet. The interior fitted with two lidded tea...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Charming 18th Century Satinwood Square Tea Caddy, George III
Charming 18th Century Satinwood Square Tea Caddy, George III

Charming 18th Century Satinwood Square Tea Caddy, George III

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A Charming And Very Good Quality Late 18th Century Satinwood Square Tea Caddy, With Purple Heart Crossbanded Decoration, The Hinged Top Enclosing Lidded Storage Compartment, Raised O...

Category

1790s British Sheraton Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood

Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy
Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy

Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

Chinese export tea caddy in pomegranate red, made for the English market. This is a beautifully crafted chinoiserie piece with carved brass feet and a richly decorated surface featur...

Category

1820s Chinese Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Pewter

French Limoges Porcelain Tea Caddy with Sterling Silver Lid, circa 1900
French Limoges Porcelain Tea Caddy with Sterling Silver Lid, circa 1900

French Limoges Porcelain Tea Caddy with Sterling Silver Lid, circa 1900

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

An elegant French Limoges porcelain tea caddy dating from circa 1900, beautifully decorated with hand-painted floral motifs and fitted with a hallmarked silver mount and removable li...

Category

Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

ANTIQUE 1901 EDWARDIAN DATED STERLiNG SILVER MULLER & SON REPOUSSE TEA CADDY
ANTIQUE 1901 EDWARDIAN DATED STERLiNG SILVER MULLER & SON REPOUSSE TEA CADDY

ANTIQUE 1901 EDWARDIAN DATED STERLiNG SILVER MULLER & SON REPOUSSE TEA CADDY

By B. Muller & Son 1

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original 1901 Chester hallmarked Sterling Silver tea caddy made by Muller & Son A very good loo...

Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century carved mahogany teapoy stamped Gillows
19th Century carved mahogany teapoy stamped Gillows

19th Century carved mahogany teapoy stamped Gillows

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

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

English Regency Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy by Stiven Scotland
English Regency Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy by Stiven Scotland

English Regency Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy by Stiven Scotland

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A Regency period Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy by the Scottish firm Stiven dating to circa 1820. The tea caddy is of bowed square form crafted in sycamore and d...

Category

Early 19th Century Scottish Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Attractive antique Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy
Attractive antique Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy

Attractive antique Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Attractive antique Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy, having an attractive bombe sarcophagus form quality tea caddy, with a lift up lid opening to reveal a fitted interior with tw...

Category

Early 19th Century Early Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Regency Tea Caddy
Regency Tea Caddy

Regency Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

This is a wonderful English regency tea caddy in rosewood. Beautifully executed, the carving is fantastic. It’s on burn feet and its velvet lined interior is complete. The silver is ...

Category

Early 1800s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Spanish Silver Fish Sugar Box, Articulated Design, Circa 1940
Vintage Spanish Silver Fish Sugar Box, Articulated Design, Circa 1940

Vintage Spanish Silver Fish Sugar Box, Articulated Design, Circa 1940

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A magnificent, fine and impressive, large vintage Spanish silver sugar box realistically modelled in the form of a fish; an addition to our animal related silverware collection This magnificent and large vintage Spanish silver box has been realistically modelled in the form of a fish. This impressive fish shaped box has an articulated body, allowing the fish's position to be customised. The body of this vintage sugar box is embellished with separate dorsal and pectoral fins, in addition to rows of chased scales and anatomical features. This vintage silver fish box retains the original hinged cover/head, featuring the original large bead eyes. Such large examples are rare to the market and becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This silver fish shaped box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The Spanish hallmarks...

Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Antique English Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Inlay
Antique English Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Inlay

Antique English Georgian Satinwood Tea Caddy with Conch Shell Inlay

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A Georgian satinwood tea caddy featuring conch shell inlay, dating to circa 1790, of rectangular form with elegant canted corners and finely inlaid boxwood ...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Satinwood

Pair of Mixed Wood Tea and Coffee Vessels
Pair of Mixed Wood Tea and Coffee Vessels

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

Birch, Mahogany

Antique Chinese Blue & White Tea Leaf Jar, Late 19th Century
Antique Chinese Blue & White Tea Leaf Jar, Late 19th Century

Antique Chinese Blue & White Tea Leaf Jar, Late 19th Century

Located in Chicago, IL

Used to store loose leaf tea, this small ceramic jar from the late 19th century is sparsely glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner. Elegant in its simplicity, the humble jar is ...

Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Earthenware

Beautiful Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Beautiful Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Beautiful Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Located in GB

A fine Regency period rectangular tea caddy, veneered in panels divided by fine metal stringing. Silver metal escutcheon and key. Complete with an initialled plaque on the lid and ro...

Category

Early 19th Century European Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Ivory, Tortoise Shell

Large George III period sterling silver tea caddy made in London in 1800
Large George III period sterling silver tea caddy made in London in 1800

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

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

Oversized Antique Novelty Sycamore Apple Tea Caddy
Oversized Antique Novelty Sycamore Apple Tea Caddy

Oversized Antique Novelty Sycamore Apple Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

An oversized sycamore fruit form tea caddy dating to circa 1800, turned from solid sycamore with a rounded body and a natural patination acquired over more than two centuries. Likely...

Category

Early 1800s German George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Iron

1890s European Sterling Silver Bumble Bee Box
1890s European Sterling Silver Bumble Bee Box

1890s European Sterling Silver Bumble Bee Box

Located in Tarrytown, NY

European box, 2.8 ounces of solid silver. Bumble bee pulling a chariot.

Category

1890s Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Louis XIV Style Boulle Tea Caddy
Louis XIV Style Boulle Tea Caddy

Louis XIV Style Boulle Tea Caddy

Located in Bradenton, FL

19th century Louis XIV style boulle tea caddy. Beautiful boulle has inlaid red and gold design on black lacquered background.. Features a double caddy...

Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Georgian Burr Yew Conch Shell Tea Caddy
Georgian Burr Yew Conch Shell Tea Caddy

Georgian Burr Yew Conch Shell Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

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

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Yew

English Classical Repousse Tea Chest by Grinsell and Bourne
English Classical Repousse Tea Chest by Grinsell and Bourne

English Classical Repousse Tea Chest by Grinsell and Bourne

By John Grinsell & Sons

Located in Newark, England

Beautifully Patinated Repousse Design From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to introduce this superb example Repousse Tea Caddy by Grinsell and Bourne. The Tea Caddy of ...

Category

Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy
19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy

19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy

Located in Forney, TX

A well-made antique, circa 1830, English tea caddy with stunning marquetry inlays, warm coloring, superb detailing, and luminous rich patina! When tea first arrived in Europe in t...

Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

George IV Gonçalo Alves and Amboyna Marquetry Sarcophagus Tea Caddy ca. 1825
George IV Gonçalo Alves and Amboyna Marquetry Sarcophagus Tea Caddy ca. 1825

George IV Gonçalo Alves and Amboyna Marquetry Sarcophagus Tea Caddy ca. 1825

Located in Nottingham, GB

Intricate amboyna marquetry borders trace the stepped sarcophagus lid and tapering body of this tea caddy, setting pale, mottled burr against the deep, dramatic grain of gonçalo alve...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique English Wooden Georgian Chippendale Triple Tea Caddy 18C Irish Provenanc
Antique English Wooden Georgian Chippendale Triple Tea Caddy 18C Irish Provenanc

Antique English Wooden Georgian Chippendale Triple Tea Caddy 18C Irish Provenanc

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Impressive English early Georgian Flame Grain Mahogany with ebony inlays Treble Tea Caddy Teacaddy of outstanding quality and workmanship and generous size. Last quarter of the Eight...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea Caddies (1768)
Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea Caddies (1768)

Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea Caddies (1768)

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George III English sterling silver tea caddies by Pierre Gillois; an addition to our Georgian silverware collection. These except...

Category

1760s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy

Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy

$1,145Sale Price|20% Off

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

19th Century Anglo-Indian Hand-Carved Hardwood Tea Caddy
19th Century Anglo-Indian Hand-Carved Hardwood Tea Caddy

19th Century Anglo-Indian Hand-Carved Hardwood Tea Caddy

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

This is an Anglo-Indian Export Tea Caddy, beautifully hand carved made from hardwood and dating to the 19th century. The baluster Jar shaped caddy is raised on a pedestal foot, hand...

Category

19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Victorian Amboyna Wood Travelling Tea Caddy
Antique Victorian Amboyna Wood Travelling Tea Caddy

Antique Victorian Amboyna Wood Travelling Tea Caddy

Located in Suffolk, GB

A beautiful antique Victorian travelling tea caddy dating to around 1850, veneered in richly figured amboyna with a wonderful warm colour and striking natural grain. Compact in scale and very decorative, it is a particularly attractive example of a mid-19th-century personal tea caddy. The exterior is finished in highly figured amboyna veneer, with fine contrasting stringing around the edges and a simple rectangular form that allows the quality of the timber to take centre stage. The lid is secured by a catch to each side rather than a central front catch, a practical detail that would have helped keep the caddy firmly closed when being transported. Opening the hinged lid reveals a single metal-lined compartment designed to help protect and preserve the tea. Its compact proportions and secure side catches distinguish it from the larger domestic tea caddies more commonly seen and make it especially appealing as a travelling or personal example. Amboyna was one of the most prized exotic cabinet...

Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Amboyna

Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy with Brass Paw Feet
Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy with Brass Paw Feet

Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy with Brass Paw Feet

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A tea caddy of sarcophagus form with canted sides and a stepped pyramidal lid, the figured veneers framed in fine light stringing with a shield shaped escutcheon to the front and rai...

Category

19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

19th Century Burl Walnut English Tea Caddy
19th Century Burl Walnut English Tea Caddy

19th Century Burl Walnut English Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

A refined 19th century English tea caddy crafted in richly figured burl walnut, showcasing exceptional grain movement and warm patina developed over time. Elegant ivory style accent ...

Category

1890s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Ivory, Wood

Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Double Cover Tea Caddy
Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Double Cover Tea Caddy

Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Double Cover Tea Caddy

By John Robins

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

Antique Dutch Neoclassical Silver Tea Caddy, 1805
Antique Dutch Neoclassical Silver Tea Caddy, 1805

Antique Dutch Neoclassical Silver Tea Caddy, 1805

Located in New York, NY

Dutch Neoclassical silver tea caddy, 1805. Oval bowl; cover hinged and domed with silver-mounted wood finial. Beading and fluting. An austere vessel for keeping fresh the precious le...

Category

Early 1800s Dutch Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

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

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

19th Century English Chinoiserie Toleware Grocer's Tea Canister.
19th Century English Chinoiserie Toleware Grocer's Tea Canister.

19th Century English Chinoiserie Toleware Grocer's Tea Canister.

Located in Vero Beach, FL

19th Century English Chinoiserie Toleware Grocer's Tea Canister A fine and well-proportioned grand-scale English grocer's toleware tea canister, dating to the mid-19th century. Desi...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Antique George V Sterling Silver & Cut-Glass Tea Caddy, 1915
Antique George V Sterling Silver & Cut-Glass Tea Caddy, 1915

Antique George V Sterling Silver & Cut-Glass Tea Caddy, 1915

By George Nathan & Ridley Hayes

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and cut-glass tea caddy, an addition to our silver mounted glass collection. This impressive antique George V cut-glass tea caddy has a circular rounded form. The vessel of this antique silver tea caddy...

Category

1910s English Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

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

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

Lovely Set of French Food Canisters Original French Enamel Canister
Lovely Set of French Food Canisters Original French Enamel Canister

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

English Regency Mahogany Lyre Pedestal Brass Foliage Inlaid Tea Poy, Circa 1810
English Regency Mahogany Lyre Pedestal Brass Foliage Inlaid Tea Poy, Circa 1810

English Regency Mahogany Lyre Pedestal Brass Foliage Inlaid Tea Poy, Circa 1810

Located in Charleston, SC

English Regency mahogany rectangular hinged tea poy with fitted interior bins, central lyre pedestal, foliage brass inlays, flanking gilt floral pulls, and res...

Category

1810s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Victorian Hand-Crafted Wood Tea Caddy with Penwork, England, 1842
Victorian Hand-Crafted Wood Tea Caddy with Penwork, England, 1842

Victorian Hand-Crafted Wood Tea Caddy with Penwork, England, 1842

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

Large Regency Tea Caddy
Large Regency Tea Caddy

Large Regency Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

A large sarcophagus shaped rosewood tea caddy with a semi domed top. Original glass inside and two tea compartments. Mother of pearl inlaid escutcheon. On bun feet. The interior is f...

Category

1820s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Glass, Wood

English Regency Tea Caddy with Original Key
English Regency Tea Caddy with Original Key

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

Victorian Box, Polished Mahogany, Brass, England circa 1880
Victorian Box, Polished Mahogany, Brass, England circa 1880

Victorian Box, Polished Mahogany, Brass, 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

19th c English Chippendale Style Mahogany Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Tea Boxes
19th c English Chippendale Style Mahogany Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Tea Boxes

19th c English Chippendale Style Mahogany Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Tea Boxes

Located in Milford, NH

A nicely carved English mahogany tea caddy in the Chippendale style with dome top and scroll carved corners, silver plate scrollwork escutcheon & handle, the custom interior lined with velour for silver plated tea boxes with acorn & oak leaf knops flanking a central mahogany foil lined tea box with an acanthus knop. The handled top has a monogrammed plate “M...

Category

19th Century English Chippendale Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy
Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy

Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy

Located in Suffolk, GB

An antique Victorian English burr walnut tea caddy of classic sarcophagus form, raised on bun feet and of excellent colour throughout. The lid is beautifully shaped and finely carved...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Sea Captain's Tea Caddy
19th Century Sea Captain's Tea Caddy

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

Pair of Antique 18th Century French Enamel Tea Caddies Circa 1780-1790
Pair of Antique 18th Century French Enamel Tea Caddies Circa 1780-1790

Pair of Antique 18th Century French Enamel Tea Caddies Circa 1780-1790

Located in London, GB

Pair of 18th century French enamel tea caddies in excellent condition. The exterior pastoral scenes on each panel including the lids are all well executed. The interiors are clean ...

Category

1780s French Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Lacquered Natsume 'Tea Box'
Japanese Lacquered Natsume 'Tea Box'

Japanese Lacquered Natsume 'Tea Box'

Located in PARIS, FR

Natsume in dark red lacquer, decorated with autumn leaves and cherry blossoms in hiramaki-e and nashiji. Interior in black lacquer. Maple leaves (Momiji) are celebrated in literatur...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Tea Caddies

Materials

Lacquer

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.