Skip to main content

Tea Caddies

to
51
460
4
3
281
208
Height
to
Width
to
467
467
467
1
1
Tea Caddies For Sale
Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy
Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy

Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A Chinese hexagonal cast brass tea caddy, early 20th century. Each rectangular side with a shou symbol surrounded by five stylized bats on blue enamel ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Penwork Tea Caddy
19th Century English Penwork Tea Caddy

19th Century English Penwork Tea Caddy

Located in Atlanta, GA

19th Century English Penwork Tea Caddy

Category

19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy
French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy

French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

Single Tea Caddy Compartment From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to bring to market this Antique French Boulle Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy o...

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy
A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy

A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A 20th Century Hand Painted Hinged Lidded Tea Caddy In The Shape Of An Apple With A Metal Patinated Stalk A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea...

Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Mahogany Tea Chest, probably England, circa 1830
Mahogany Tea Chest, probably England, circa 1830

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

English Early Tea Caddy
English Early Tea Caddy

English Early Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

English early large and beautifully decorated tea cadd with its compartments lids with ivory knobs top on the lids. Beautifully inlaid on the front of the escutcheon. The interior me...

Category

1810s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

20Thc Tin Coffee Canister
20Thc Tin Coffee Canister

20Thc Tin Coffee Canister

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Early 20Thc Coffee tin canister in original painted labels & original condition.

Category

Early 20th Century American Adirondack Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Quality Antique Willian IV Rosewood Tea Caddy
Quality Antique Willian IV Rosewood Tea Caddy

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

18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy

18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy

Located in Forney, TX

A fine quality Regency Era / Georgian Period tea caddy set in sumptuous plum-pudding mahogany. Exquisitely hand-crafted in England at the turn of the late 18th / early 19th century,...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Velvet, Cut Glass, Boxwood, Mahogany, Satinwood

1960s Stainless Steel Tea Infuser Stirrer Tea Steepers Secure Pull Locking
1960s Stainless Steel Tea Infuser Stirrer Tea Steepers Secure Pull Locking

1960s Stainless Steel Tea Infuser Stirrer Tea Steepers Secure Pull Locking

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Stainless Steel Tea Infuser Stirrer Tea Steepers Secure Pull Locking. Measures 7" Long

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Stainless Steel

English Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy
English Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy

English Regency Sarcophagus Shaped Tea Caddy

Located in Bradenton, FL

Early 19th Century Sarcophagus Shaped Mahogany Tea Caddy. Caddy is shaped box-like with a rectangular form and sloped sides, resembling ancient coffins. Richly grained mahogany with ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Original Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy
Georgian Original Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy

Georgian Original Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

George III Circa 1785 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Rare Original Hand-Painted Sycamore Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of Octagonal form veneered in Sycamo...

Category

Late 18th Century George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy, England, circa 1830
Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy, England, circa 1830

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy, England, circa 1830

Located in San Francisco, CA

A rosewood tea caddy with Bombay shape and canted top. Having a pair of lion mask brass handles on each end and sitting on claw and ball feet. The interior fitted with two lidded tea...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Mid 20th Century Fruitwood Pear Form Tea Caddy, 30s
Mid 20th Century Fruitwood Pear Form Tea Caddy, 30s

Mid 20th Century Fruitwood Pear Form Tea Caddy, 30s

Located in Roma, IT

We are pleased to offer for sale a unique and highly collectible piece—rare in Italy, where it was originally discovered. This sculptural tea caddy is crafted from fruitwood and both...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique mid 19th Century Rosewood tea caddy
Antique mid 19th Century Rosewood tea caddy

Antique mid 19th Century Rosewood tea caddy

Located in Allentown, PA

This is a 19th century handmade Rosewood tea caddy. This tea caddy has his original glass disposable in the center with two compartments on either side. The tea caddy stands on four ...

Category

Mid-19th Century American American Empire Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

19th Century English Victorian Cormandel Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy, circa 1850
19th Century English Victorian Cormandel Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy, circa 1850

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

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Sunburst Design
Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Sunburst Design

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Sunburst Design

Located in Dallas, TX

Circa 1870, English tortoiseshell tea caddy with sunburst design. It is absolutely the finest one I’ve ever owned! No cracks no restoration absolutely mint.

Category

1870s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Fabulous Antique English Penwork Double Compartment Tea Caddy c.1820
Fabulous Antique English Penwork Double Compartment Tea Caddy c.1820

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

Toso Mid-Century Modern Blue Molato Murano Glass Jewelry Box, 1982
Toso Mid-Century Modern Blue Molato Murano Glass Jewelry Box, 1982

Toso Mid-Century Modern Blue Molato Murano Glass Jewelry Box, 1982

By Toso Vetri D'arte

Located in Murano, Venezia

These boxes are a beautiful invention of the master glassmaker Toso Murano who designed them in 1982. They can be used as jewelry boxes, and they are beautiful thanks to the reflec...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy Attributed to Smiths
Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy Attributed to Smiths

Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy Attributed to Smiths

Located in Northampton, GB

Acorn Design From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy attributed to Smiths. The Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy of rectangular form ma...

Category

Early 19th Century Scottish Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770
Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770

Chippendale Tea Caddy, c1770

Located in valatie, NY

Chippendale tea caddy, c1770, burl veneered mahogany paneled front and sides with cross banded border raised on original ball and claw cast brass...

Category

Late 18th Century English Chippendale Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique George IV Gonçalo Alves & Amboyna Marquetry Tea Caddy C1825 19th Century
Antique George IV Gonçalo Alves & Amboyna Marquetry Tea Caddy C1825 19th Century

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

Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy
Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy

Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy having a quality antique George III mahogany tea caddy with satinwood stringing inlay, with a lift up lid opening to reveal two lidded r...

Category

Early 19th Century George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Chinese Coconut tea pot - China - late 18th / early 19th - Qing - Asian Art
Chinese Coconut tea pot - China - late 18th / early 19th - Qing - Asian Art

Chinese Coconut tea pot - China - late 18th / early 19th - Qing - Asian Art

Located in Beuzevillette, FR

Very pretty and old tea pot, gourd shaped, in sculpted coconut, chiseled and mounted on pewter. The cap is also made of pewter. The coconut is decorated with imperial motifs. Chinese...

Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Victorian Burr Walnut Studded Tea Caddy With Engraved Brass & Green Baize
Victorian Burr Walnut Studded Tea Caddy With Engraved Brass & Green Baize

Victorian Burr Walnut Studded Tea Caddy With Engraved Brass & Green Baize

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Beautiful Victorian Burr Walnut Studded TeaCaddy Chest With Engraved Brass Details & Camel Bone Supports 1800's Would make an ideal present for any occasion.

Category

19th Century Spanish Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800
English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800

English Georgian Chinroserie Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ball Feet, C. 1800

Located in Charleston, SC

English Georgian Chinroserie bow front tortoise shell tea caddy with a hinged tiered lid, Chinese landscape mother of pearl inlays with flanking pagodas, fences, & foliage trees, central paktong plaque and escutcheon, bone fitted interior border with two lidded tortoiseshell foil lined compartments, and resting on the original four bone ball...

Category

Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Foil

Circa 1765 George III Period Tea Caddy Box, English
Circa 1765 George III Period Tea Caddy Box, English

Circa 1765 George III Period Tea Caddy Box, English

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Circa 1765 George III period tea caddy box, English. Small & complete example raised on original bracket feet. Mahogany. Original hardware & lock with key. Contains 2 origina...

Category

1760s English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

George III Burr Yew Tea Chest
George III Burr Yew Tea Chest

George III Burr Yew Tea Chest

Located in Northampton, GB

Lined with Red Velvet Circa 1790 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Burr Yew Wood Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of rectangular form featuring quadrant B...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Cut Glass, Yew

Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy
Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy

Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy

Located in Northampton, GB

Karlsbad Czech Republic From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Rosewood Karlsbad Tea Caddy. The Rosewood Tea Caddy of square form with rounded edges made from R...

Category

Late 19th Century Czech Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Nickel

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Inlaid Mother Of Pearl
Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Inlaid Mother Of Pearl

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Inlaid Mother Of Pearl

Located in Dallas, TX

Tortoiseshell tea caddy with inlaid mother of pearl from England. Metal lined under two lids.  Excellent condition, circa 1860.

Category

1860s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell, Mother-of-Pearl

Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780
Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780

Georgian Mahogany 18th Century Tea Caddy, circa 1780

Located in Incline Village, NV

Nice mellow patina on this 18th century English mahogany tea caddy with three interior compartments. Two end sections have incised geometric carved lids. Tapered all around from top ...

Category

1780s English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet
19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet

19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet

Located in Haarlem, NL

Clover or quartreform shaped mid-19th century Chinese canton export tea caddy in gold lacquered wood on a black background. Decorated with palace scenes...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Pewter

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

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...

Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Lacquer

Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box
Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box

Unusual Swansea Prattware Pearlware Pottery Covered Botanical Tea Caddy Box

Located in Downingtown, PA

Charming Utility: A Swansea Pearlware Prattware Covered Tea Caddy Box, c. 1800-1820 This is an exceptional example of an early 19th-century Pearlware Tea Caddy Box, distinguished by...

Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

English Regency Tea Caddy with Original Key
English Regency Tea Caddy with Original Key

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...

Category

1830s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Antique Russian Solid Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy
Antique Russian Solid Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy

Antique Russian Solid Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy

By Victor Savinsky

Located in Northampton, GB

Rare Form with Chinoiserie Figures From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this rare example Russian Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy ...

Category

Late 18th Century Russian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Tea Tin
Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Tea Tin

Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Tea Tin

Located in High Point, NC

Late 19th century chinoiserie tea tin from England.

Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Pair of 19th Century American Henry Troemner Philadephia Pa Chinoiserie Tea Bins
Pair of 19th Century American Henry Troemner Philadephia Pa Chinoiserie Tea Bins

Pair of 19th Century American Henry Troemner Philadephia Pa Chinoiserie Tea Bins

By Henry Troemner

Located in Dallas, TX

Presenting a gorgeous and extremely rare pair mid-19th century, metal tea bins, by Henry Troemner of Philadelphia, PA in the chinoiserie style. From circa 1845. Made of black enamel...

Category

Mid-19th Century American Chinoiserie Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Large 19th Century English Mahogany Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy
Large 19th Century English Mahogany Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy

Large 19th Century English Mahogany Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy

Located in Atlanta, GA

England, circa 1880. A large sarcophagus form tea caddy box in mahogany. Resting on four bun feet and opens to reveal a tin lined casing, two covered tea sections and a central crys...

Category

19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Crystal

Large Regency Tea Caddy
Large Regency Tea Caddy

Large Regency Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

A large sarcophagus shaped rosewood tea caddy with a semi domed top. Original glass inside and two tea compartments. Mother of pearl inlaid escutcheon. On bun feet. The interior is f...

Category

1820s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Glass, Wood

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy
Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy

Located in Greenwich, CT

Fine English Regency mahogany caddy with canted sides and shaped hinged top with ebony stringing and original brass paw feet. Good color and patina.

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Fine quality antique George III tea caddy
Fine quality antique George III tea caddy

Fine quality antique George III tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Fine quality antique George III tea caddy, having a quality antique George III satinwood tea caddy with a lift up lid opening to reveal two removable compartments for tea and a glass...

Category

19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Lead & Bronze Tea Caddy With Glass Covered Panels
Antique Chinese Lead & Bronze Tea Caddy With Glass Covered Panels

Antique Chinese Lead & Bronze Tea Caddy With Glass Covered Panels

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Antique Chinese 9-sided lead & bronze tea caddy with 18 hand-painted panels (behind glass) with ornate frames. Raised seal mark on base. The tea caddy with a removable domed lid and ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tea Caddies

Materials

Bronze, Lead

Art Deco Box, 1930, France
Art Deco Box, 1930, France

Art Deco Box, 1930, France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Mirror

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

19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Mt Kisco, NY

The burgundy / brown lacquer is decorated with gold depicting figures and buildings in a landscape. The caddy stands on four carved wooden feet in the shape of claws. The interior contains a single pewter canister...

Category

19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Paper

Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies by Elizabeth Godfrey, 1750
Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies by Elizabeth Godfrey, 1750

Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddies by Elizabeth Godfrey, 1750

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A magnificent, fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver tea caddies - boxed; an addition to our silver teaware collection These magnificent, fine and impressive antique Georgian silver tea caddies each have an oblong, bomb shaped form. The surface of each antique tea caddy is embellished with impressive chased and embossed scrolling floral and foliate decoration, incorporating paralleling undulating borders framing each side. The decoration to the body of each incorporates two cartouches, one displaying the contemporary engraved coat of arms depicting an oval escutcheon supported by a savage and a greyhound collared and chained, displaying firstly a stag's head and secondly three bars below three roundels. The coat of arms bears the motto 'Data fata secutus' - Following the destiny allotted to me*. These heraldic markings are surmounted with the crest of a mountain in flames, surmounted with the motto 'Luceo non uro' - I shine, not burn*. The cartouche to the opposing side of each caddy is ornamented with an impressive contemporary engraved crest of a greyhound courant. The remaining two sides of each impressive antique caddy...

Category

1750s British George II Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy
Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy

Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy

Located in Ipswich, GB

Fine quality antique Regency rosewood tea caddy, having a outstanding quality 19th Century rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid sarcophagus shaped tea caddy, with a quality carved mou...

Category

Early 19th Century Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy
Fantastic quality antique regency coromandel wood tea caddy

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...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s
Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s

Fabienne Jouvin Cloisonne Box, France, 1980s

By Fabienne Jouvin

Located in Stockholm, SE

Produced in Paris by Fabienne Jouvin, 1980s. Very good condition with signs of usage and patina.

Category

1980s French French Provincial Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Enamel

Antique English Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Saunders & Shepherd
Antique English Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Saunders & Shepherd

Antique English Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy by Saunders & Shepherd

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This late Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy by Saunders & Shepherd dates to 1895 and is designed in an elegant sarcophagus form raised upon sterling silver b...

Category

Late 19th Century English Art Nouveau Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Regency Tea Caddy
Regency Tea Caddy

Regency Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

A regency tea caddy made of rosewood inlaid with brass. Bronze dore feet are a winged lion with flowers and fruit. A wonderful and desirable shape. E...

Category

1820s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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.