Skip to main content

Tea Caddies

1
121
to
12
60
51
121
121
121
43
29
4
3
3
1
96
308
71
8
38
16
10
7
2
4
2
4
1
3
Height
to
Width
to
84
54
28
23
21
101
80
68
4
4
1
1
1
1
1
Tea Caddies For Sale
Period: 1920s
Period: Early 19th Century
Tiny Regency Partridgewood Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming and extremely rare Regency period 19th century partridge wood tea caddy, of incredibly small proportions, having elegant pagoda shaped top enclosing lined interior raised on original brass ball feet. This is one of the smallest tea caddies we have ever seen. It also really is very charming indeed. The shape has real elegance and the overall package is just so very rare. Partridge wood is a wood imported from South America towards the end of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Available in particularly small sheets it was almost exclusively used in cross banded, or inlaid decorations or for very small decorative boxes...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Other

Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy attributed to Smiths
Located in Northampton, GB
Scottish Mauchline Ware From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular form extensively decorated with a repeating pinstripe pattern throughout the entire exterior of the Tea Caddy upon a Sycamore carcass. The decoration features a striped effect with alternating classical scrollwork, linked chain and pin striped vertical line transfers in shades of gold, green and red. A shield-shaped escutcheon finishes the exterior of the Caddy. When opened the Tea Caddy reveals a single Caddy compartment with traces of the original foil lining and the Caddy the original full length wooden Cumnock Hinge. The Tea Caddy dates to the late Georgian Period during the reign of George IV Circa 1830. The Tea Caddy is a rare example of early Mauchline Ware especially because of the Type of decoration used and extremely good condition, a superb addition to any collection. We firmly attribute the Tea Caddy to renowned Scottish Mauchline Ware makers Smiths from the extremely close similarities between this Caddy and a previous one in our archives signed by Smiths. The Tea Caddy comes complete with working lock and tasselled key. Mauchline Ware was the production of Scottish white-wood products, it was mainly manufactured from the 1820s until 1939. The production of souvenir woodware for the tourist market began in the 1790s with the snuff box industry in Ayrshire. By 1820, Mauchline ware was well established, supplying souvenirs from wood grown ‘on the Field of Bannockburn’, ‘on the Abbey Craig’, ‘on the slopes of Stirling Castle’ and made into sewing requisites, egg cups, trinket boxes and many other kinds of souvenirs, transfer printed with a line drawing of the place. The firm Smith’s who regarded as the the leading and most renowned manufacturer of Mauchline War among a few lesser known and shorter lived companies. They ranged from the basic transfer as on small vases to boxes and smaller household accessories...
Category

Early 19th Century Scottish William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

George III Inlaid Tea Caddy, England, Circa:1800
Located in Alexandria, VA
Mahogany with satinwood, harewood, and ebony inlay - banded - shell and floral urn inlays - recessed brass handle on lid, fitted interior with two removable hinged lid wooden tea sto...
Category

Early 1800s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood, Harewood

Mahogany Tea Chest, probably England, circa 1830
Located in New York, NY
Elegant mahogany tea chest featuring a decorative edge in light wood grain and a handle on the lid. The interior is meticulously lined with a light fabric, incorporating two hinged b...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy having a quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy with a quality carved moulded edge top opening to reveal a fitted interior with two lid...
Category

Early 19th Century Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Antique George IV Gonçalo Alves & Amboyna Marquetry Tea Caddy C1825 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite antique George IV Gonçalo Alves and amboyna marquetry inlaid tea caddy, circa 1825 in date. It is beautifully decorated with superb marquetry decoration to the ...
Category

1820s George IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Amboyna

Birds Eye Maple Tea Caddy. English, Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Very good example of a birds eye maple tea caddy A delightful colour Good condition. Two compartment interior with lids Free UK shipping   
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy With Cut Glass Containers
Located in Essex, MA
Finest quality dated January 2, 1820. Rectangular hinged top with boxwood stringing along the edge. The interior lined with pink paper and holding two cut glass tea containers and a ...
Category

1820s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

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

Art Deco reproduction of a Queen Anne period tea caddy - Hallmarked in 1929
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1929 by Thomas Bradbury & Sons, this handsome, Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is a fine reproduction of a Queen Anne period caddy, with a slide off base, and r...
Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling 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...
Category

Early 1800s English Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Oval Tea Caddy with Silver Mounts From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Silver and Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy is of oval shape with a Tortoiseshell exterior mounted with engraved silver stringing, a silver shield plaque below the silver escutcheon and a silver looped handle. The interior features a floating tea shelf...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Garrard & Co. - Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1926
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1926 by Garrard & Co., this handsome, Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is oval in shape, with panelled detailing. The tea caddy measures 3.25"(8cm) tall, by 4.25"...
Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Black Basalt Tea Caddy, 1st half 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Cylindrical tea caddy made of black basalt with silver mounting and figural nodus.
Category

Early 19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

English Hand-Painted Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy c.1820
Located in Bath, GB
A really magnificent and pretty Regency tea caddy, the splendid shape having been beautifully painted on all sides with floral and foliate garlands, each panel framed. The top retai...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

English Tortoiseshell Pagoda Form Tea Caddy, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
English Tortoiseshell Pagoda Form Tea Caddy, Early 19th Century
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Georgian Glass Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
The Tea Caddy of slight oval shape with diamond quit cut canted corners, an engraved monogram to the body reading MAAF and a radial cut stopper. The Tea Caddy dates to the late Georg...
Category

Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Glass, Cut Glass

Antique Georgian Birdseye Maple English Double Tea Caddy Box Cut Crystal Bowl
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Georgian Period Well figured Birds Eye Maple Double Interior Section Tea Caddy of flat rectangular outline, generous proportions and outstanding qualit...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Georgian Squash Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Extremely rare pumpkin / squash tea caddy with a superb dark mottled colour, lovely patination, and a wonderful original squared stalk is only seen on...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Single Tea Caddy c.1810
Located in Bath, GB
This wonderful early nineteenth century tea caddy was made to emulate the larger decanter boxes made in a similar shape and manor during this period. Made from Mahogany, the box is ...
Category

1810s Dutch George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Fine Regency Penwork Chinoiserie Tea Caddy circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Regency penwork rectangular tea caddy in the Chinoiserie taste with lacquered surface, foliate and figural decoration on all sides, including the interior, with an elephant ha...
Category

Early 1800s English Chinoiserie Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal, Foil

Fabulous Antique English Penwork Double Compartment Tea Caddy c.1820
Located in Bath, GB
A simply magnificent and grand example of a Regency Penwork Tea Caddy dating 1820. The caddy stands on it's original large gilded bronze Lion's paw feet and the sides retaining the ...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Continental Antique Georgian Melon Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
The Tea Caddy is an exceptional example shaped as a Melon and made from Sycamore with a beautiful mottled patination showing colours of moss green and subtle orange. The Tea Caddy su...
Category

Early 1800s European George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Sycamore

Wonderful Antique English Regency Walnut & Tulipwood Tea Caddy - Floral Inlay
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous and most unusual tea caddy dating to the Regency era, around 1820. A rare combination of woods has been used, nutty Cognac coloured Walnut and rich graphic Tulipwood. Th...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

c. 1830 William IV Period Tea Caddy
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
William IV period sarcophagus form tea caddy, English, circa 1830. Original interior fitted with a pair of dome-top tea canisters and section for sugar bowl (bowl lacking). Original ...
Category

Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Southall, 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

Georgian Period Apple Shaped Treen Tea Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
During the Georgian period the neoclassical manner became increasingly popular in England, resulting in a style of furniture and accessories now associated with elegant restraint. Wh...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal

Rare Regency Architectural Pressed Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Pressed Tortoiseshell Design From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Regency Architectural Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of bombe form with flared bas...
Category

1810s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Shell

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.
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Antique English George III Rosewood Tea Caddy Circa 1820
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English George III tea caddy offers rosewood construction in casket form with gadroon elements and raised on bun feet, c1820 Measures - 8"h x 13.5"d x 7.5"d
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Georgian Period Pear Shaped Treen Tea Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
During the Georgian period the neoclassical manner became increasingly popular in England, resulting in a style of furniture and accessories now associated with elegant restraint. Wh...
Category

Early 1800s English Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

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

Antique Georgian Masonic Freemasons Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Featuring Masonic Scenes From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this extremely rare Georgian Masonic Tea caddy. The Tea Caddy of box form with chequered edging and borders of Tulipwood surrounding Burr Yew wood squares each featuring Satinwood oval panels depicting Masonic Symbols. The symbols include the past master, senior warden, junior warden and the past worshipful master. The top of the box features inlaid moon, stars and sun surmounted by a brass carry handle. The interior of the Tea Caddy features a floating lid with a turned metal handle. The Tea Caddy dates to the Georgian period during the reign of George III circa 1800.  The Tea Caddy comes complete with working lock and tasselled key.  Tulipwood is also known as Brazilian Tulipwood, Brazilian Pinkwood and Bahia Rosewood. It is found in South America, mainly Brazil. The colour is a warm yellow with streaks or brown-red grain. Burr Yew originates from Asia, Europe and North Africa. It is yellow-brown to orange-brown and usually conforms to a fine uniform pattern. Yew wood usually has black pips scattered throughout so clean veneers fetch a high price and are reserved for finer items. A few trees will produce a burr which offers a distinct decorative finish. Satinwood is found in India and Sri Lanka. It has a rich golden colour and an almost reflective sheen. Satinwood is traditionally used for high quality furniture. Georgian, a period in British history dating from 1714-1837, the Georgian era after the Hanoverian kings George I, George II, George III and George IV. Masonic (Freemasons, Freemasonry or Masonry) refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that from the end of the 14th century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. While Freemasonry is not itself a religion, all its members believe in a supreme being...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Satinwood, Tulipwood, Yew

Georgian Novelty Apple Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Shaped as an Apple From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this superb Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy carved from Sycamore as a novelty Apple with a button stalk, shaped body and shaped cut steel escutcheon. When opened the Caddy reveals traces of the original tin foil lining for housing Tea leaves. The Apple Fruit Tea Caddy...
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

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

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...
Category

1920s German Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Ceramic

Quality antique George III large tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique George III large tea caddy with the original brass ornate handle to the top opening to reveal three storage compartments. D. 1800
Category

Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique German Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique German silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique 800...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Regency Tortoiseshell and Mother of Pearl Serpentine Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Featuring Alternating Panels From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this fine Regency Tortoiseshell and Mother of Pearl Serpentine Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rect...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell, Mother-of-Pearl

Quality Antique Willian IV Rosewood Tea Caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique 19th Century William IV rosewood tea caddy, having a quality shaped rosewood top opening to reveal a fitted interior of a glass tea mixing bowl and a tea lidded compa...
Category

Early 19th Century William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Regency Chinoiserie Penwork Tea Chest
Located in Northampton, GB
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Regency Chinoiserie Penwork Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of rectangular form sits upon four brass ball feet with matching br...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Quality antique Victorian tunbridge ware inlaid tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Victorian tunbridge ware inlaid tea caddy having a lovely antique Victorian tunbridge ware inlaid tea caddy with beautiful detail to the box opening to reveal two rec...
Category

Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian quality silver plated tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality silver plated tea caddy having a quality reeded lid, lions head ring handles to both sides, reeded decoration round the body having the original key with wo...
Category

Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy having a quality coromandel wood tea caddy with ringlet carrying handles to both sides and a lift up top opening to reveal...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Early 19th century Regency mahogany tea caddy
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Regency mahogany tea caddy circa 1820. Made using flame mahogany veneers.  Brass handles with star motif to the sides.  Canted corners strung with satinwood.  Sta...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Very decorative Burmese tea tin
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This very decorative tea tin was made for the Burmese market with text in Chinese, English and Burmese. It was shipped from Amoy (now Xiamem) in China to be sold in the retail store ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Steel

Antique 19th century 800. German silver small oval Tea Caddy with Hanau marks
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique 19th century 800. German silver small oval Tea Caddy with Hanau marks. Maker: Unidentified Made in Germany, 19th Century Tested positive for 800. silver. The tea caddy i...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

English Octagonal Satinwood Tea Caddy with Rosewood Cross Banding
Located in Atlanta, GA
English Octagonal Satinwood Tea Caddy with Rosewood Cross Banding and String Inlay, Early 19th Century
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood, Satinwood

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

Antique Sarcophagus Tea Caddy, English, Box, Glass Mixer, Regency, Circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique sarcophagus tea caddy. An English, rosewood case with glass mixer, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Appealing craftsma...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Glass, Wood

Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Sterling Silver tea caddy / box Style Georgian, French Empire, Napoleonic, Dutch A sterling silver very stylized tea box with good working lock Decorated with embossed pearl...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Regency Mahogany Tea Chest Robert Wright
Located in Northampton, GB
With Twin Caddies & Hand Cut Glass Sugar Bowl From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Regency Cuban Mahogany Tea Chest by Robert Wright. The Tea Chest of ...
Category

Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal, Brass

An English Fruitwood Apple Form Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine novelty fruitwood tea caddy in the form of an apple. lathe turned and with a soft honey patina, restoration to the lid at the hinge. England...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Fruitwood

Georgian Novelty Apple Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Shaped as an Apple From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this superb Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy carved from Treen as a novelty Apple with a button stalk, shaped body and shaped cut steel escutcheon. When opened the Caddy reveals traces of the original tin foil lining for housing Tea leaves. The Apple Fruit Tea Caddy...
Category

Early 1800s European Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

19th century carved mahogany teapoy stamped Gillows
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Superb quality Gillows regency mahogany teapoy circa 1820. The main body being of sarcophagus form, which opens to 4 mahogany slides on each corner, 1 large tole compartment flanked...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Penwork Tea Chest
Located in Northampton, GB
Sycamore Tea Chest Circa 1815 From our Tea Caddies collection, we are delighted to offer this Regency Penwork Tea Chest. The Chest crafted from Syca...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Antique Drawing Room Tea Caddy, English, Flame, Sarcophagus, Regency, circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique drawing room tea caddy. An English, flame mahogany sarcophagus with glass mixer, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Super...
Category

Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

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.

Recently Viewed

View All