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Tea Caddies

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Tea Caddies For Sale
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

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

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

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

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

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

Chinese Export Black Lacquer Tea Caddy
Chinese Export Black Lacquer Tea Caddy

Chinese Export Black Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

An early 19th century Chinese export black lacquer tea caddy, richly decorated with hand painted gilt scenes depicting traditional Chinese architecture, figures and flowering landsca...

Category

Early 1800s Chinese Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

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

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

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

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

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

French 19th Century Rosewood Tea Caddy
French 19th Century Rosewood Tea Caddy

French 19th Century Rosewood Tea Caddy

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

An extraordinary French tea caddy from Riems, 19th century, made of solid rosewood. Rather angular in form, the box has a half-round domed top, rising above the beveled slope of the ...

Category

19th Century French Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal

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

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

Asian Embroidery Tea Caddy
Asian Embroidery Tea Caddy

Asian Embroidery Tea Caddy

$252Sale Price|79% Off

Asian Embroidery Tea Caddy

Located in Pomona, CA

A handmade embroidery in birds and flowers Chinese tea caddy.

Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Fabric

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

English Regency Sarcophagus-Form Tea Caddy
English Regency Sarcophagus-Form Tea Caddy

English Regency Sarcophagus-Form Tea Caddy

Located in Bradenton, FL

English Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy. Tea Caddy is in the sarcophagus form with hinged lid concealing a three-section interior. Interior has a fitted glass mixing bowl in center, flank...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Antique George III quality mahogany tea caddy
Antique George III quality mahogany tea caddy

Antique George III quality mahogany tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Antique George III quality mahogany tea caddy having a quality antique George III mahogany and satinwood inlaid stringing tea caddy with a lift up lid opening to reveal the original ...

Category

19th Century George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy
Quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy

Quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy, having a quality antique Regency tea caddy of rectangular shape with ring handles to the sides, a lift up lid opening to reveal a fitted i...

Category

Early 19th Century Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

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

Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy
Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy

Fine Rolled Paper Tea Caddy

$1,158Sale 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

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 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

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

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

George III "Drum" Tea Caddy Made in London by John Deacon, 1776
George III "Drum" Tea Caddy Made in London by John Deacon, 1776

George III "Drum" Tea Caddy Made in London by John Deacon, 1776

By John Deacons

Located in London, GB

A rare George III "Drum" Tea Caddy made in London in 1776 by John Deacon. The Tea Caddy is modelled in the rare Drum form which was only produced for a short time during the 1770's ...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

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

Large Regency Tea Caddy
Large Regency Tea Caddy

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

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

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

A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790
A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790

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

18th Century Burr Thornwood Tea Caddy
18th Century Burr Thornwood Tea Caddy

18th Century Burr Thornwood Tea Caddy

Located in Lincolnshire, GB

A fine example of a burr thorn and crossbanded tea caddy of superb color and patina with the original brass handle and bracket feet, circa 1750.

Category

18th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

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

19th Century Chinese Tea Caddy
19th Century Chinese Tea Caddy

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

Enamel Tea Caddy Vienna 18th Century with Landscape
Enamel Tea Caddy Vienna 18th Century with Landscape

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

Pair of Victorian Carved Mahogany Tea Caddies with Tin Linings, circa 1880
Pair of Victorian Carved Mahogany Tea Caddies with Tin Linings, circa 1880

Pair of Victorian Carved Mahogany Tea Caddies with Tin Linings, circa 1880

Located in Morristown, NJ

Pair of Victorian Carved Mahogany Tea Caddies with Tin Linings, England, c. 1880 A handsome and uncommon pair of late 19th-century English tea caddies in cylindrical canister form, ...

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Abraham Roentgen Baroque Tea Caddy, Rosewood on Oak, Germany, ca 1760 revised
Abraham Roentgen Baroque Tea Caddy, Rosewood on Oak, Germany, ca 1760 revised

Abraham Roentgen Baroque Tea Caddy, Rosewood on Oak, Germany, ca 1760 revised

Located in Berlin, DE

Rosewood veneered on oak 22x15x24 cm Abraham Roentgen (1711–1793) and his son David were the creators of marquetry furniture of highly refined quality and ingenious construction th...

Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

18th c. English George III Satinwood and Mahogany Tea Caddy Box Circa 1790
18th c. English George III Satinwood and Mahogany Tea Caddy Box Circa 1790

18th c. English George III Satinwood and Mahogany Tea Caddy Box Circa 1790

Located in Litchfield, CT

Antique 18th century English George III satinwood and mahogany tea caddy circa 1790. Elegant size and proportions with choice flame and crotch/burl woods. Original brass bail handle ...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Antique Regency Rosewood Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy with Original Mixing Bowl
Antique Regency Rosewood Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy with Original Mixing Bowl

Antique Regency Rosewood Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy with Original Mixing Bowl

Located in Suffolk, GB

A superb antique Regency rosewood tea caddy, beautifully veneered in the finest figured rosewood and exquisitely decorated with delicate brass line inlay. This elegant example dates ...

Category

1830s European Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

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

Antique German Sterling Silver Teacaddy Neresheimer Sohnes Berthold Muller 1900
Antique German Sterling Silver Teacaddy Neresheimer Sohnes Berthold Muller 1900

Antique German Sterling Silver Teacaddy Neresheimer Sohnes Berthold Muller 1900

Located in Dublin, Ireland

An Absolutely Stunning heavy gauge German Sterling Silver Eighteenth Century style Tea Caddy Circa 1900. Intricate repousse relief decoration depicts genre scenes of adult figures ...

Category

18th Century German Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

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

Antique German Biedermeier Footed Silver Sugar Chest or Box
Antique German Biedermeier Footed Silver Sugar Chest or Box

Antique German Biedermeier Footed Silver Sugar Chest or Box

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique German sugar box is composed of .875 silver and dates to circa 1850 in the Biedermeier style. The box sits on ornately crafted feet and features clam shell relief decora...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Brea, CA

19th century Qing Dynasty Chinese export gilt decorated black lacquer tea caddy. Hexagonal shape with floral chased pewter covered caddies deta...

Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Lacquer

Early 19th Century Regency Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy of Sarcophagus Form
Early 19th Century Regency Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy of Sarcophagus Form

Early 19th Century Regency Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy of Sarcophagus Form

Located in Long Island City, NY

The body and hinged lid with mother of pearl and brass-line inlay. The fitted interior is lined with purple velvet. With a brass escutcheon and bun foot.

Category

1820s Irish Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

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

Box Cannister Caddy Brass Tobacco Tea Dutch
Box Cannister Caddy Brass Tobacco Tea Dutch

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

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

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

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

Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, circa 1830
Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, circa 1830

Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, circa 1830

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A very fine and visually striking Biedermeier Period tea caddy of exceptional quality, demonstrating a highly elevated form and a most complex application of exotic woods. The hinged...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Zebra Wood, Yew, Amboyna, Satinwood

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

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

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.