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Tea Caddies For Sale
Recognized Seller Listings
Rare Hester Bateman English Georgian Neoclassical Tea Caddy 1782
Located in New York, NY
George III sterling silver tea caddy. Made by Hester Bateman in London in 1782. Straight oval bowl; cover domed with cast vasiform finial. Engraved garland and swag and ornamental bo...
Category
1780s British Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique American Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
American Edwardian Classical sterling silver tea caddy, ca 1910. Ovoid ginger-jar bowl with short neck and bellied cover. Three chased leafing-scroll frames of which 2 vacant and 1 e...
Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
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,...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Edwardian Period Sterling Silver Ball-Footed Tea Caddy With HInged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Period, sterling silver tea caddy on ball feet, and having a hinged lid and hinged, movable handles. Lovely, clean lines. Measures 3 inches high (at highest point) x appro...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
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 ...
Category
17th Century English William and Mary Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Olive
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
Neoclassical George III Period Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1775
By Walter Brind
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1775 by Walter Brind, this charming, George III period, Antique, Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is cylindrical in shape, with wonderful engraved decoration to the...
Category
1770s English Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy (1783)
By Andrew Fogelberg & Stephen Gilbert
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional antique George III ste...
Category
1780s Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
George III Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Made in London by Hester Bateman in 1787
Located in London, GB
A very rare and fine George III Tea Caddy made in London in 1787 by Hester Bateman.
The Tea Caddy is modelled in a known design from the Hester Bateman workshops. This fine example...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
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 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
Rare Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Tea Caddy 322
By Johan Rohde
Located in Hellerup, DK
A vintage sterling silver Georg Jensen tea caddy with floral finial, design #322 by Johan Rohde from 1920.
Additional information:
Material: St...
Category
20th Century Art Nouveau Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy/Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, rare antique Victorian English sterling silver tea caddy/box in the form of a nutmeg; an addition to our silver teaware collection
This magnifice...
Category
1880s British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling 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 ...
Category
1790s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage 1940s Spanish Silver Fish Sugar Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, large vintage Spanish silver sugar box realistically modelled in the form of a fish; an addition to our animal related silverware collection
This...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
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
George III silver tea caddy
Located in London, GB
Classic late 18th century silver tea caddy of oblong form, and featuring delicately hand engraved bands and swags around the sides, and ...
Category
18th Century British George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
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...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Mixed Wood Tea and Coffee Vessels
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of late 19th Century English or Scottish mixed wood treen coffee and tea containers, having compass star inlaid turned lids over turned bodies of ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany, Birch
Antique Wang Hing & Co. Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional antique Chinese silver tea caddy...
Category
1890s Hong Kong Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection
This exceptional antique Edwardian tea caddy in...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Chinese Silver Tea Caddy, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
A late 19th/early 20th century tea caddy made by the Canton-based artisan workshop LIAN XIANG SHENG 聨样盛 for the Canton and Hong Kong-based luxury goods retailer WANG HING 宏興
This particular style of tea caddy based on a naturalistic interpretation of prunus mume tree trunk takes its inspiration directly from Yixing unglazed stoneware [aka zisha] produced in Jiangsu Province. The Yixing potters began specialising in making teapots during the Ming dynasty as a direct result of the then new innovation of making tea from rolled leaves rather than the finely ground powdered tea that preceded it. In time, among Chinese tea connoisseurs, it was considered that a Yixing teapot...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
18th Century Creamware Pottery Red-Printed Tea Caddy
Located in Downingtown, PA
18th Century Creamware Red-printed Tea Caddy,
circa 1765-75
The creamware tea caddy or teapoy is rectangular in form with large panels to fr...
Category
Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Creamware
Victorian Period Sterling Silver Tea Caddy With Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver tea caddy with hinged lid, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1891, Stokes and Ireland, Ltd. - makers. Lovely design, having a square pedestal...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver
Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box
Located in Downingtown, PA
Pearlware Prattware pottery covered Botanical tea caddy box,
Cambrian Pottery, Swansea
Circa 1800-20
The rectangular-shaped pearlware pottery covered footed Tea Caddy is painted...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy
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...
Category
1890s Dutch Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Georgian Octagonal Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine George III octagonal tea caddy inlaid with various woods on a harewood ground, the central panels veneered with coucous wood and banded by holly stringing around a kingwood band, vines and berried...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Ebony, Kingwood, Harewood, Holly, Burl
Elkington Silver Tea Caddy
Located in New Orleans, LA
Uniquely designed in the form of a gift box tied with ribbon, this engaging silver tea caddy was created by the prominent silversmith Frederick Elking...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Stunning Rococo Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddies, London, 1768
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1768 by Henry Bailey, this stunning pair of George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddies, feature Rococo chasing throughout, vacant cartouches, and ...
Category
1760s English Rococo Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique German Silver Bear Sugar Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique German silver bear sugar box; part of our continental ornamental silverware collection
This exceptional and rare antique German silver sugar box have been realistically modelled in form of a bear.
The box has been embellished with fine embossed decoration reproducing the details of the bear's fur and anatomical features.
This exceptional antique silver box is fitted with the original push fit head/cover.
Condition
This antique silver bear box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.
The German Hanau hallmarks to the underside of one foot are very clear.
Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this German silverware...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
William IV Rosewood and Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy, English, ca. 1835
Located in Banner Elk, NC
William IV rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with finely inlaid mother-of-pearl medallions with stylized acanthus leaves, the escutcheon plate with further similar decoration, ...
Category
19th Century English William IV Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
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...
Category
1830s English William IV Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
William IV Miniature Sideboard-Form Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy, English, ca. 1835
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A rare William IV tea caddy in the form of a perfectly scaled model-miniature double pedestal sideboard with Integral Wine Cellaret, the pedestals with molded caddy tops above raised...
Category
19th Century English William IV Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies
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 'ÂLuceo 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
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 ...
Category
Early 18th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Oak
Antique Austrian Silver Tea Caddy, circa 1955
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Austrian 800 standard silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional Austrian silver tea caddy has an...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Antique Yugoslavian Silver Tea Caddy, circa 1925
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Yugoslavian silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This fine antique Yugoslavian silver tea caddy has an oval rounded, tapering form.
The surface of the box is plain and unembellished.
This antique tea caddy is fitted with a plain domed hinged cover surmounted with an impressive chased decorated festoon style bow finial.
The cover features a hallmarked incurved thumbpiece to the anterior edge.
This antique tea caddy is supported by four impressive chased leaf decorated feet.
The caddy retains the original gilded interior.
The hallmarks struck to this impressive tea caddy consists of a Yugoslavian import mark denoting the finesse / purity of silver as .800 standard; this horse head mark was used from 1919-1933, determining the date of this piece as circa 1925.
Condition
This oval antique silver tea caddy...
Category
1920s European Other Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Walnut Dome Top Tea Caddy with Brass and Bone Decoration, English, circa 1870
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Walnut dome top tea caddy with brass and bone decoration, English, circa 1870
Dimensions: W 9”, D 4.75”, H 4.5”.
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Pair of George III Cased Tea Caddies, London, 1793, William Frisbee
Located in London, GB
The Faulkbourne hall cased tea caddies. An important and very unusual pair of George III tea caddies made in London in 1793 by William Frisbee, all contained within a contemporary velvet and silk lined satinwood case. The hinges and handle also hallmarked for 1793.
The pair of tea caddies are of an unusual oval form with upwardly curved rim. The sides are beautifully engraved with an upper and lower band of bright cut scrolls and foliate motifs on a scratch engraved and prick dot ground. Each side is engraved with an unusual bright cut cartouche with incuse corners. One cartouche is vacant and the other is engraved with a contemporary Scottish Crest with the motto "Nil Conscrire Sibi - Consious of no Wrong " above. The curved, slightly domed, cover is engraved with an outer band identical to those shown on the sides and terminates in a Neo Classical urn finial, also engraved with bright cut designs. The caddies are most unusual as they open from the side, not in the usual manner from the front. The caddies are each in excellent condition and are fully marked in the foot and with the maker's mark and sterling mark on the cover.
The pair of caddies are contained within a most breathtaking satinwood case with hallmarked hinges and escutcheon shaped handle and reeded oval mounts. It is most unusual to find fully hallmarked hinges, and handle, which accurately date the case, as the same date as the caddies. The interior is lined with the original silk, velvet and gold braid.
The Crest and Motto are those of Lieut-Col Jonathan Bullock of Faulkbourne Hall, County Essex. He was M.P. for Essex in many parliaments and, in 1763, married Miss Elizabeth Lante. He died without issue in 1809 and his estates devolved upon his nephew Jonathan Joshua Christopher Watson who, in 1810, assumed the surname and Arms of Bullock by Royal Licence. The Bullock family were descended from Robert Bullock of Herburghfield, County Berkshire. He was Sheriff of County Berks and Oxford under Richard II. He died in 1405.
Faulkbourne Hall is a Grade 1 listed Manor House in the village of Faulkbourne in Essex, the manor being first mentioned under Edward the Confessor. The earliest surviving parts of the Hall, a red brick building with turrets, date from the 15th century. Sir Edward Bullock, Knight, purchased the Hall and Manor of Faulkbourne in 1637. The hall is considered a fine specimen of early Tudor red...
Category
1790s English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Exotic Silver and Copper Mixed Metal Ginger Jar Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Exotic mixed metal tea caddy. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, circa 1910. Sterling silver ginger-jar with squat and tapering sides, short neck, an...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver, Copper
19th Century Antique 1845 Sterling Silver Locking Biscuit Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Swedish silver locking biscuit box; an addition to our silver teaware collection
This exceptional...
Category
1840s Swedish Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Victorian Continental Silver .800 Hannau Footed Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, Continental silver .800, footed tea caddy, Germany, with Hannau marks, circa. 1895, B. Neresheimer and Sohne - makers. Chased with dancing ...
Category
1890s German Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Sterling Silver Tea Caddy with Early 550 Broadway Hallmark
Located in New York, NY
Regency Revival sterling silver tea caddy. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. at 550 Broadway, New York. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Sloping rim and hinged and overlap...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
1890s Antique Russian Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This exceptional antique Russian silver tea caddy has a cuboid shaped form with rounded shoulders.
The surface of this silver tea caddy has...
Category
1890s Russian Other Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Octagonal Burl Oak Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine country made English burr oak octagonal tea caddy in richly figured timber, the facetted lid with solid cap, the interior with two lids retaining original turned bone knobs, sta...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Oak, Burl
Edwardian Sterling Silver Neoclassical Style Tea Caddy with Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver, neoclassical style tea caddy with hinged lid, London, 1907, Robert Pringle - maker. Lovely fluted design; handles are rings. Measures: Almost 4 1/2 inches...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Regency Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy of Sarcophagus Form
Located in New York, 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
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
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...
Category
1790s English Neoclassical Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 3 Antique Silver Gilt Tea Caddies 1903-1906 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...
Category
19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
1880s Dutch Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique Dutch silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This fine Dutch silver tea caddy has a navette shaped oval form.
The surface of this antique silver tea caddy...
Category
1880s Dutch Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Antique 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
Grish Chunder Dutt 1880s Indian Silver Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Indian silver tea caddy, an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional antiqu...
Category
1880s Indian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
1874 Victorian Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
By Thomas White
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique Victorian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection.
This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver tea caddy has an oval shaped form.
The upper and lower portions of the body are encompassed with impressive bright cut engraved broad overlapping leaf decorated borders accented with a band of scallop and trefoil ornamentation in addition to protruding stylized leaf designs to the incurves of the body.
The body of this large tea caddy...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Primitive Hand Carved Tripodal Tea Caddy Box with Metal Trim, Belgium 1940's
Located in New York, NY
Charming hand carved box with metal detail.
Category
1940s Belgian Primitive Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Metal
19th Century English Victorian Cormandel Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy, circa 1850
Located in Banner Elk, NC
English Victorian cormandel tea caddy decorated with mother of pearl and brass studs, circa 1850s. Cormandel was considered one of the most luxurious woods and only used on the fines...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique 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.
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