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...
Zebra Wood, Yew, Amboyna, Satinwood
Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy by Thomas Barton c1870
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Tunbridge ware tea caddy by Thomas Barton c1870 Date : c1870 Period : Victoria Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Central floral mosaic with dentil stringing. ...
Wood
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
$1,722Sale 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
19th Century Chinese Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted with chinoiserie motif. Original inserts with etching.
Zinc
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...
Lacquer
Early Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy with Two Compartments c1830
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Early Tunbridge ware tea caddy with two compartments Date : c1830 Period : George IV / William IV Origin : Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge, Kent Decoration : Central styli...
Wood
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
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
18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy, Great Britain, Circa 1760
Located in London, GB
A mid-18th century Chippendale period figured mahogany tea caddy, ebony beaded and mahogany cross-banded throughout, having concave-shaped lid retaining original brass carrying handle.
Mahogany
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
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. ...
Wood
19th Century, English Regency Tea Caddy
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th century mahogany English Regency tea caddy with silver markings of a family crest, griffon and ram on the top. The interior of this te...
Mahogany
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
$560Sale Price|30% 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
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...
Silver
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...
Rosewood
$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
$2,631Sale Price|52% Off
Silver tea box with reliefs and knob on the lid
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box with engravings and pine cone-shaped handle on the lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Mark: standing eagle. Weight: 671.05 grams - I Title. Dimension...
Silver
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
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...
Wood
Regency Tea Caddy of Sarcophagus Form Burr Yew c1820
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading :Regency tea caddy of Sarcophagus form in burr yew c1820 Date : c1820 Period : Regency Origin : England Decoration : Sarcophagus form in rosewood. Four brass ball feet. T...
Wood
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
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century English Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Flame Motif on four Bun Feet. Lock is signed by maker.
Mahogany
19th Century English William IV Rosewood Tea Poy
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality William IV rosewood tea poy, opening to a fitted interior retain its original glass bowls, above a turned stem over a platform base,...
Rosewood
Mid 19th Century Antique Tea Caddy in Mahogany c1840
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : 19th century antique tea caddy c1840 Period : Victoria Origin : England Decoration : Cuboid in mahogany with lighter colou...
Wood
19th century Decanter Box with Braham lock
Located in MILL, NL
Late 19th century decanter box. With braham lock. In very good condition. Lock works well. Bottles in perfect condition. Dimensions: 22L x 22D ...
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
$344Sale Price / set|36% Off
Message or Tea Leaves Three Holders
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Old containers for tea leaves or for message sheets. In teak: h.17,5 x diameter 6 and h. 27 x diameter 8,5. In brass: h.16 x 4,5 - The smallest SOLD and cancelled. The NEW PRICE i...
Brass
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
Two Compartment Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy c1860
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Tunbridge ware tea caddy c1860 Date : c1860 Period : Victoria Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Sarcophagus shape. Central floral mosaic within keylines borde...
Wood
19th Century Rosewood and Brass Tea Caddy from Saint Croix
Located in Tampa, FL
An exceptional 19th century rosewood tea caddy, originating from Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands, crafted in the English taste. This rare island piece is...
Brass
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).
Crystal, Brass
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 ...
Silver
Tunbridge Ware Two Compartment Sarcophagus Tea Caddy c1860
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Tunbridge ware sarcophagus tea caddy Date : c1860 Period : Victoria Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Central floral mosaic bordered by a geometric pattern within...
Wood
1970s Indian Bronze Box with Character on the Lid
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Indian bronze box with character on the lid.
Bronze
Very Good Georgian Burr Elm Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy, U.K, circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome early 19th century Georgian sarcophagus-shaped tea caddy in burr elm. The highly figured case fitted with a hinged canted top with a cross-banded edge, opening to an interior housing twin lidded tea canisters flanking a period cut-glass mixing bowl...
Elm, Cut Glass
English George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Patera Inlay, ca. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
English George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Patera Inlay, ca. 1790
Mahogany
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...
Sterling 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
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
Oriental Papier-Mâché Decorative Box Painted on the Outside and Lacquered Inside
Located in Marbella, ES
Oriental Papier-Mâché Decorative Box Painted on the Outside and Lacquered Inside
Paper
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
Silver-Clad Table Casket with Golden Patina
Located in Buchanan, MI
A silver-clad table casket the domed hinge top centered with a paterae among foliate scrolls. apparently unmarked This has a golden patina. Height 7 1/2...
Silver Plate
20th Century Antique George V 1915 Sterling Silver and Cut Glass Tea Caddy
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
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
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
$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
Tunbridge Ware Two Compartment Tea Caddy Depicting Battle Abbey Gatehouse c1870
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Tunbridge ware tea caddy depicting battle abbey gatehouse Date : c1870 Period : Victoria Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent Decoration : Central image depicts Battle Abbey Gate...
Wood
18th Century George I Domed Topped Japanned Chinoiserie Falconry Box, circa 1710
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A rare and important Queen Anne-George I japanned chinoiserie domed topped box depicting scenes of falconry, circa 1710-1720. England Falconry is ...
Oak
A late George III mahogany tea caddy
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late George III mahogany tea caddy, of rectangular form the hinged top opening to reveal three compartments with sliding lids, with silver mounts including a foliate scroll handle,...
Mahogany
$4,550Sale Price|30% Off
Elliptical silver tea box with edge engravings and fruit-shaped knob
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Elliptical silver tea box with engravings on the casing and a fruit-shaped knob on a branch on the removable lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Cabea de escr...
Silver
$2,800Sale Price|30% Off
Silver tea box with plant engravings, pearly friezes and cut-out handle
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box with engraved plant motifs, pearly friezes on the surround and a cut-out knob on the lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Mark: open-winged eagle. Weig...
Silver
$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
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Silver tea box with engraved plant motifs and a flower-shaped knob on the lid
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tea box with engraved plant motifs and flower-shaped handle on the lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Mark: open-winged eagle. Weight: 542.75 grams. Dimensio...
Silver
$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
19th Century English Regency Boulle Tea Caddie
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century English Regency Boulle Tea Caddie. Very handsome and in beautiful shape.
Hardwood
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
William IV Mahogany Tea Caddy in the Form of a Pedestal Sideboard
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An unusual William IV mahogany tea caddy in the form of a pedestal sideboard with a hinged lid opening to reveal a central well for a mixing bowl (now missing) flanked by two removab...
Mahogany
Bugbear Coconut Tea Caddy on Silver Dolphin Base
Located in Dallas, TX
A Bugbear coconut tea caddy mounted on a silver dolphin base. Bugbear coconuts were carved by sailors on long voyages in the 18th and early 19th centur...
Silver
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.