$220Sale Price|20% Off
Rosenthal Serb Bavaria Donatello Porcelain Creamer & Sugar Bowl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rosenthal Serb Bavaria Donatello Porcelain Creamer and Sugar Bowl with Gold Trim and Monogram "S" Made in Germany. Vintage. Dimensions Suga...
Ceramic
Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy, Embossed Rural Scenes, Circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Dutch silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection This exceptional Dutch silver tea caddy has been realistically modelled in the form of a classic antique wine cooler...
Silver
Stunning Engraved Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1806
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1806 by Thomas Paine Dexter, this charming, George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is oval in shape, and in the Neoclassical taste, with bright cut engraved decoration to the body and lid, a tea plant finial, and an engraved crest to the cartouche. The tea caddy measures 4.25"(11cm) tall, by 4.5"(11.5cm) wide, by 3.25"(8.5cm) deep, and weighs 11 troy ounces. The crest is likely that of John Trotter...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Brea, CA
Middle 19th century Chinese Export double lacquer tea caddy on stand from the Qing dynasty. octagonal form with hinged lid ,divided interior with me...
Lacquer
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...
Rosewood
Set of 3 William IV Period Painted Toleware Shop Tea Canisters
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Set of Three Exceptional 19th-Century Toleware Shop Tea Canisters A superb and very decorative set of three 19th-century William IV period English toleware tea canisters, origin...
Tôle
French Turn of the Century Steel and Brass Coffee Bean Dispenser, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Turn of the Century steel and brass coffee bean dispenser from circa 1900. This French Turn of the Century coffee bean dispenser, crafted f...
Brass, Steel
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...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$975
1910 Egg Crate
Located in New York, NY
Hand-picked by buyers at Ann-Morris Inc.
Aluminum
Lovely Set of French Enamel Food Canisters Original French Enamel Canister Set
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Lovely Set of French Enamel Food Canisters Original French Enamel Canister set is a complete set of six pieces with lids, Sucre, Café, Farine, Pates...
Enamel
Wonderful 835 Silver Tea Caddy lidded Box Can Christoph Widmann Germany handmade
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique 835 Silver Tea Caddy - lidded Box Christoph Widmann Germany handmade Half moon & crown Weight: 229 grams The condition can be seen in the pictures.
Silver
Chinese White Glazed Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Rendered in a striking cool white glaze, this contemporary porcelain jar offers a modern take on a Classic form. Lidded jars like these were used in tea shops in China, where tea dri...
Ceramic
19th Century Burl Walnut Tea Box
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 19th century burl walnut tea box from England. Very beautiful box with a beautiful brass decoration on its front and top. Superb pati...
Walnut
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
19th Cenury Black Lacquer Gilt Decorated Tea Caddy and Decorative Liners
Located in North Salem, NY
An old black lacquered, hand-painted tea caddy, finely crafted and richly decorated, designed for the storage of loose tea. The exterior is finished in a black lacquer, providing a g...
Metal
Regency Tole Hot Water Urn
Located in Essex, MA
Chinoiserie decorated with cover with ball finial over a cylindrical body with lions head rings , lower spigot and pierced square plinth and paw feet.
Tin
$950Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Chinese Porcelain Tea Caddy with Dutch Sterling Silver Lid
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Chinese porcelain tea caddy with Dutch hallmarked sterling silver lid featuring scrolling foliate and floral designs and a win...
Sterling Silver
Set of 3 Antique Silver Gilt Tea Caddies 1903-1906 London, England Boxes
Located in London, GB
A set of three impressive solid Silver Tea Caddies decorated with ornated chased designs on the body and foot. Each has a chased push fit lid topped with a lovely berry and leaf fini...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Chinese Mahogany Tole Hinged Figural & Foliage Bird Tea Bins, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese mahogany tole demilune hinged poly chromed tea bins with gilt figural stenciling and decorative landscape scenes with foliage and bird motif, M...
Metal, Brass
Neoclassical Black Basalt Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts, 1800-1850
Located in Greding, DE
Cylindrical tea caddy made of black basalt with silver mounting and figural nodus.
Silver
Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Set from 1797 by Robert Sharp
By Robert Sharp
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1797 by Robert Sharp, this rare and exceptional quality, George III, antique sterling silver tea caddy set, comprises two oval tea caddies and a sugar caddy...
Sterling Silver
Two Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy for the English Trade, Priced Per Tea Caddy
Located in Buchanan, MI
A Chinese Export lacquer tea caddy. Gilt lacquered tea caddy with two pewter canister inserts. Together with a larger Chinese export lacquer box with o...
Wood
English 19th Century Parnall & Sons Green Painted Tea Box with Glass Front
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Parnall & Son green painted metal tea box from the 19th century with gilt painted floral frieze, glass front flat back and maker's mark. This English Parnall & Son green p...
Metal
$1,703Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Tea Chest, Mahogany and Brass, Germany, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Lidded chest with a curved lid and a concave belly, standing on brass ball feet. The escutcheon is inlayed in bone. Mahogany veneered.
Brass
Pair, Japanned Chinoiserie Tea Caddies W/ Sifter Drawers, English C. 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair Of Japanned Chinoiserie Tea Caddies With Sifter Drawers, Anglo-Indian Or English, Circa 1800–1830 Form and construction, these read as a scarce, matched pair of japanned tea ca...
Metal
Georgian Antique Burr Yew Canted Corner Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Free Worldwide Shipping Tea Leave Inlaid Canted Corners From our Tea Caddy Collection, we are pleased to offer this beautiful George III Burr Yew Canted Corner Tea Caddy. The Antiq...
Boxwood, Satinwood, Yew
Antique English Regency Period and Styled Hand Painted Toleware Tea Caddy
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique English toleware tea caddy dates to circa 1820 and done in the period Regency style. This tea caddy is constructed of tin with a cast i...
Metal
Papier-Mâché Tea Caddie /1850 with Floral and Foliate Designs with Black Ground
Located in Houston, TX
Exquisite quality with exceptional workmanship and art. Floral designs are painted on all Sides of this tea caddie. It sits on bracketed feet. Provenance: the estate of Mrs. Henry F...
Paper
19th Century English Papier Mâché Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Lovely old papier mâché tea caddy with inlaid mother-of-pearl and hand-painted decoration, England, 19th century.
Mother-of-Pearl, Paper
Georigan Cherry Wood Tea Vessel
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful tea vessel made out of cherry wood in Vienna in about 1830-1850. Beautifully decorated by a silver plated application of a house and a landscape (some brassing).
Silver
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.
Mahogany
Fine William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Lace Box
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine late 17th-century olive oyster 'Lace Box' of small proportions, circa 1680-1690, England. The cross-grain moulded and holly banded top is finely veneered in hand-cut veneers ...
Olive
Antique 18th-Century Georgian Burr Yew Tea Caddy—Elegant, natural wooden box
Located in Saint Helena, CA
Two hundred years of history, meticulously craftsmanship, rare wood, and natural beauty! This beautiful tea caddy is dated circa 1780, is "of the period" Georgian s...
Yew
English Regency Tea Caddy
Located in Tampa, FL
English Regency tea caddy, circa 1820s. Crafted in richly figured rosewood, this magnificent and highly unusual caddy is distinguished by extensive copper inlay and trim throughout. ...
Copper
Early 19th Century Mahogany Teapoy
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany teapoy, the shaped, crossbanded and hinged top opening to reveal two wooden containers with lids, with two compartment spaces ideal ...
Mahogany
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Rococo Pewter Tea Caddy
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very beautiful Rococo pewter tea caddy with lion on the lid.
Pewter
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Dogs Candy Box by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, France, Circa 1920
By Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, Haviland & Co.
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Dogs candy box by Edouard Marcel Sandoz (1881-1971) and manufactured by Haviland. Wapler, Jacques-Ph. (1999) "De la sculpture a la porcelaine" p. 66. France, CIRCA 1920.
Porcelain
19th Century Tea Caddy with Brass Ornaments
Located in Brea, CA
19th century lacquer tea caddy with brass ornaments. Has got an mahogany flamed color. Brass ornaments. Thick layer of lacquer over wood. Very good quality wood and is very beautiful...
Lacquer
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.
Silver Plate
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.
Rosewood
$3,850Sale Price|30% Off
Silver tea box with plant engravings, border friezes & lid knob
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box with engraved plant motifs surrounding a monogram card, friezes on the border, knob on the lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Mark: Standing Eagle I ...
Silver
Japanese Cloisonné Covered Jar by Ando Jubei
By Ando Jubei
Located in Atlanta, GA
Japanese cloisonné enamels are known as shippo-yaki and the mid-19th century saw the production of very high quality wares in the early centers Nagoya. One of the most renowned works...
Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Edwardian 'Drum Shape' Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1905
By Blackburn & Tysall
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1905 by Blackburn & Tysall, this very attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, features bright cut engraved decorative bands and cartouche, a...
Sterling Silver
Large Art Deco Grocers Tolewear Double Coffee and Tea Canister
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Art Deco grocers tolewear double coffee and tea canister This is a classic of Art Deco design, the decoration is very much in the Odeon style typical of toleware of this period The Dowe Egbert double display...
Antique English Rosewood Teapoy Table with Complete Interior, Circa 1845-1865.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Rosewood Teapoy Table with Complete Interior, Circa 1845-1865.
Rosewood
Very Early Meissen Tea Caddy With Merchant Ship Scenes And Bud Knob, 1763-1774
Located in Vienna, AT
Rectangular porcelain box with rounded shoulders, small round, slightly domed lid with bud handle, colourful painted merchant scenes on the four sides and on the top of the lid, gold...
Porcelain
$630Sale Price|30% Off
Silver tea box with floral reliefs and central monogram
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box with floral reliefs surrounding a monogram card in the center of the removable lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: javali II Title. Weight: 143...
Silver
Chinese Brass Box with Chinese Letter Inscriptions on the Top
Located in Marbella, ES
Chinese Brass Box with Chinese Letter Inscriptions on the Top.
Brass
$700Sale Price|30% Off
Embossed and hammered silver tea box
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Embossed and hammered silver tea box. Metal: Silver. Origin: European. Mark: Absent. Weight: 135.58 grams. Dimensions: 8x6.5cm. Content: 800/1000. Assay Mark: Absent. Ad...
Silver
A harewood marquetry tea caddy with Royal Provenance
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A harewood marquetry tea caddy with Royal Provenance, of oval form with a hinged lid opening to reveal two zinc lined compartments, decorated in fruitwood and boxwood marquetry with ...
Hardwood
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...
Sterling Silver
Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy, Hand-Crafted, Repousse Design, 1920
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...
Silver
$273Sale Price|65% Off
Silver tea box revealed with a knight in a country setting in the Dutch style
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box featuring a knight in a Dutch-style country setting. Metal: Silver. Origin: Netherlands. Mark: Standing Lion. Weight: 105.88 grams. Dimensions: 9cmx9cm. C...
Silver
Hand Carved Teak Vessel with Lid, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A small teak container or vessel, hand-carved off a single piece of teak wood. Indonesia, late 19th Century. Intricately decorated lid with carved conc...
Teak
Two Chinese Export Lacquered Tea Caddy for the English Market, Priced Per Caddy
Located in Buchanan, MI
A two Chinese export lacquered tea caddys for The English Market. With two fitted pewter canisters on the interior. Together with a Chinese export lacq...
Wood
$526Sale Price|52% Off
Silver tea box with beaded edges and removable lid
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box with crimped edges and removable lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: javali II Title. Weight: 134.42 grams. Dimensions: 5.5x7.3cm. Content: 833...
Silver
English Shagreen Tea Caddy 19th with Bone Finial
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique English shagreen cased six sided wooden tea caddy with nice silver mounts, bone finial and undivided interior. Comes with small silver pin to ...
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...
Wood
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 ...
Rosewood
Classical 19th Century Gilded Ormolu Embossed Tea Caddy
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful fine quality 19th century classical embossed tea caddy, having Bacchus like scenes of children playing, a goat and horse and much jollity. Elkington style.
Ormolu
Irish Regency Tea Caddy
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautiful Irish 19th century rosewood tea caddy has its original glass and all of its interior. A sarcophagus design sitting on butt...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
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.