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Tea Caddies For Sale
Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy
Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy

Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy

Located in Suffolk, GB

An antique Victorian English burr walnut tea caddy of classic sarcophagus form, raised on bun feet and of excellent colour throughout. The lid is beautifully shaped and finely carved...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Walnut

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century
Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century

Located in Sweden, SE

Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. High quality work of applied arts in Neoclassical (Biedermeier) style. The fork of...

Category

Late 19th Century Empire Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique German Hanau Baroque Silver Tea Caddy
Antique German Hanau Baroque Silver Tea Caddy

Antique German Hanau Baroque Silver Tea Caddy

By Hanau, Simon Rosenau

Located in New York, NY

German Baroque 800 silver tea caddy, ca 1890. Rectilinear with curved corners; top flat and plain with short neck and cover. Chased and embossed flowers with crisscrossing leafing st...

Category

Late 19th Century German Baroque Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Double Cover Tea Caddy
Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Double Cover Tea Caddy

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

Enamel Tea Caddy Vienna 18th Century with Landscape
Enamel Tea Caddy Vienna 18th Century with Landscape

Enamel Tea Caddy Vienna 18th Century with Landscape

Located in Epfach, DE

A very nice enamel tea caddy, Vienna 18th century, paintings with landscape and couples on all sides and on the top and gold ornamentation.   

Category

1760s Austrian Rococo Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Enamel

Attractive antique Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy
Attractive antique Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy

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

Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy

Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy

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 Georgian sterling silver tea caddy has an oval form. The surface of the tea caddy is plain and unembellished, with an applied reed decorated border to the upper and lower rims. This antique silver tea caddy retains the original hallmarked domed flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is surmounted with the original and exceptional silver topped oval button style finial. This antique Georgian tea caddy...

Category

1790s British George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Impressive William IV Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy in Contrasting Exotic Woods
Impressive William IV Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy in Contrasting Exotic Woods

Impressive William IV Sarcophagus Form Tea Caddy in Contrasting Exotic Woods

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Large and impressive William IV tea caddy of sarcophagus form in exotic woods. The exterior in nicely grained contrasting dark and light woods bordered with gadroon moldings and with...

Category

Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Georgian English Dome-Top Tea Caddy
Late 18th Century Georgian English Dome-Top Tea Caddy

Late 18th Century Georgian English Dome-Top Tea Caddy

Located in Dublin, IE

A Fine Georgian Dome-Top Tea Caddy. A beautifully preserved Georgian period single–compartment tea caddy, veneered throughout in richly figured tortoiseshell with a striking mottled ...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Antique English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - 1911
Antique English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - 1911

Antique English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - 1911

By Brook & Son, Edinburgh 1

Located in Bath, GB

A handsome hexagonal solid silver tea caddy created to mimic a Georgian wooden caddy with the top decorated with a fan "inlay". The centre of the fan is mounted with a folding finia...

Category

1910s British Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Box with Engraved Metal Interior
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Box with Engraved Metal Interior

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Box with Engraved Metal Interior

Located in Madrid, ES

Description : Élégante boîte laquée chinoise du XIXe siècle, richement décorée et pleine de caractère. Son extérieur est finement laqué et son intérieur, doublé de métal gravé, est d...

Category

1880s Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Fruitwood

Japanese Lacquered Natsume 'Tea Box'
Japanese Lacquered Natsume 'Tea Box'

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Tea Caddies

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Chinese Mahogany Tole Hinged Figural & Foliage Bird Tea Bins, Circa 1840
Pair of Chinese Mahogany Tole Hinged Figural & Foliage Bird Tea Bins, Circa 1840

Pair of Chinese Mahogany Tole Hinged Figural & Foliage Bird Tea Bins, Circa 1840

Located in Charleston, SC

Pair of Chinese mahogany tole demilune hinged poly chromed tea bins with gilt figural stenciling and decorative landscape scenes with foliage and bird motif, M...

Category

1840s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Metal, Brass

Ceramic Zebra And Monkey Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Ceramic Zebra And Monkey Teapot , hand made in South Africa

Ceramic Zebra And Monkey Teapot , hand made in South Africa

By Imvelo Natural Arts

Located in North Miami, FL

Introducing the Ceramic Zebra Teapot from Imvelo Natural Art, a remarkable fusion of artistry and cultural heritage from South Africa. Hand-sculpted by Bernard and hand-painted by Sn...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Tea Caddies

Materials

Ceramic

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

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A large octagonal form Chinese export tea caddy in black lacquer decorated throughout in gilt and red with figural garden scenes, pavilions, and dense scrolling foliage. The lid pane...

Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint

Antique German Silver Bear Sugar Box, Hanau, Circa 1900
Antique German Silver Bear Sugar Box, Hanau, Circa 1900

Antique German Silver Bear Sugar Box, Hanau, Circa 1900

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

George II period rococo design tea caddy suite made in London 1739 by John Pero
George II period rococo design tea caddy suite made in London 1739 by John Pero

George II period rococo design tea caddy suite made in London 1739 by John Pero

By John Pero

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1739 by John Pero, this stunning suite of George II Period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddies and Sugar Caddy, are in the Rococo taste, featuring flat chase...

Category

1730s English Rococo Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Abraham Roentgen Baroque Tea Caddy, Rosewood on Oak, Germany, ca 1760 revised
Abraham Roentgen Baroque Tea Caddy, Rosewood on Oak, Germany, ca 1760 revised

Abraham Roentgen Baroque Tea Caddy, Rosewood on Oak, Germany, ca 1760 revised

Located in Berlin, DE

Rosewood veneered on oak 22x15x24 cm Abraham Roentgen (1711–1793) and his son David were the creators of marquetry furniture of highly refined quality and ingenious construction th...

Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A Very Good Quality 18th century Georgian, Chippendale Period, Mahogany Tea Caddy Of Rectangular Form, Having Elegant Shaped Top Enclosing Original Tin Containers, Retaining Original...

Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy by Thomas Barton c1870
Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy by Thomas Barton c1870

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy by Thomas Barton c1870

By Tunbridge Ware

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. ...

Category

1870s British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Pair of Victorian Tole Tea Canisters
Pair of Victorian Tole Tea Canisters

Pair of Victorian Tole Tea Canisters

Located in Essex, MA

Octagonal form with Asian figures! Great old paint.

Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Other

19th Century Sea Captain's Tea Caddy
19th Century Sea Captain's Tea Caddy

19th Century Sea Captain's Tea Caddy

Located in Nantucket, MA

Early 19th century sea captain's tea caddy, circa 1830, made of coramandel wood gathered in the Spice Islands China Trade, with sailor's grommet-spliced rope becket handles. The inte...

Category

Early 19th Century American Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

A Michelsen Vintage Danish Mid-Century Tea Caddy
A Michelsen Vintage Danish Mid-Century Tea Caddy

A Michelsen Vintage Danish Mid-Century Tea Caddy

By Georg Jensen

Located in Hellerup, DK

A rare Danish mid-century modern tea caddy from a wonderful estate collection, designed by Ibi Trier Mørch for A. Michelsen. Trier Mørch’s work was influenced by Erik Herløw, with wh...

Category

20th Century Danish Tea Caddies

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Sarcophagus Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Case, William IV, Circa 1835
Antique Sarcophagus Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Case, William IV, Circa 1835

Antique Sarcophagus Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Case, William IV, Circa 1835

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique sarcophagus tea caddy. An English, rosewood loose leaf tea case dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. A beautifully proportioned piece with fine detailing, ...

Category

1830s British William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Hardwood, Satinwood

19th c English Chippendale Style Mahogany Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Tea Boxes
19th c English Chippendale Style Mahogany Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Tea Boxes

19th c English Chippendale Style Mahogany Tea Caddy with Silver Plate Tea Boxes

Located in Milford, NH

A nicely carved English mahogany tea caddy in the Chippendale style with dome top and scroll carved corners, silver plate scrollwork escutcheon & handle, the custom interior lined with velour for silver plated tea boxes with acorn & oak leaf knops flanking a central mahogany foil lined tea box with an acanthus knop. The handled top has a monogrammed plate “M...

Category

19th Century English Chippendale Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver Plate

Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest With Key
Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest With Key

Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest With Key

Located in Reading, Berkshire

An Exquisite 19th Century Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest Features Two Caddy Compartments Which Feature Domed Wooden Lids & Each Has A Circula...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique English Tea Caddy in Penwork Regency Period
Antique English Tea Caddy in Penwork Regency Period

Antique English Tea Caddy in Penwork Regency Period

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING The tea caddy of sarcophagus form is raised on gilt brass claw feet and constructed with a sycamore carcass and hinged lid. The exterior is finely decorated ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

19th c. English Chinoiserie Tea Caddy
19th c. English Chinoiserie Tea Caddy

19th c. English Chinoiserie Tea Caddy

Located in Dallas, TX

The 19th c. English Chinoiserie Tea Caddy is a decorative collectible box designed to store tea. This tea caddy reflects the popular aesthetic of the 19th century, featuring intricat...

Category

19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

18th c. English George III Satinwood and Mahogany Tea Caddy Box Circa 1790
18th c. English George III Satinwood and Mahogany Tea Caddy Box Circa 1790

18th c. English George III Satinwood and Mahogany Tea Caddy Box Circa 1790

Located in Litchfield, CT

Antique 18th century English George III satinwood and mahogany tea caddy circa 1790. Elegant size and proportions with choice flame and crotch/burl woods. Original brass bail handle ...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lead Liners
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lead Liners

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lead Liners

Located in Charlottesville, VA

An octagonal Chinese export tea caddy in black lacquer with gilt decoration, raised on four carved gilt paw feet. The lid carries a central figural scene with seated figures among tr...

Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Large Art Deco Grocers Tolewear Double Coffee and Tea Canister
Large Art Deco Grocers Tolewear Double Coffee and Tea Canister

Large Art Deco Grocers Tolewear Double Coffee and Tea Canister

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Large Art Deco grocers tolewear double coffee and tea canister This is a classic of Art Deco design, the decoration is very much in the Odeon style typical of toleware of this period The Dowe Egbert double display...

Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Tea Caddies

Silver tea box with engraved monogram card & knobbed lid
Silver tea box with engraved monogram card & knobbed lid

Silver tea box with engraved monogram card & knobbed lid

Located in Porto, PT

Description: Silver tea box with engravings surrounding the monogram card and a knob on the hinged lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Mark: standing eagle. Weight: 358.92 grams....

Category

20th Century European Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Walnut Veneer Parquetry Tea Caddy
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Walnut Veneer Parquetry Tea Caddy

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Walnut Veneer Parquetry Tea Caddy

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A 19th Century Antique English Victorian Ebonised Walnut Veneer Tea Caddy With Brass Handle & Lining A Charming tea caddy with decorative walnut veneer parquetry. A tea caddy...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Georgian Rosewood Oblong Tea Caddy
Georgian Rosewood Oblong Tea Caddy

Georgian Rosewood Oblong Tea Caddy

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A very attractive, good quality, late 18th century rosewood oblong shaped tea caddy having satinwood strung mouldings and original brass hinges, with working lock and key. Constructed using attractive rosewood timber which retains a good colour and patina, the satinwood strung mouldings used on this tea caddy create a really nice contrast. Tea was a precious commodity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and the purpose of a tea caddy was not just to preserve the and extend the life of the precious tea leaves...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Rosewood

Early 19th Century English Regency Rosewood Mother-of-pearl Tea Caddy
Early 19th Century English Regency Rosewood Mother-of-pearl Tea Caddy

Early 19th Century English Regency Rosewood Mother-of-pearl Tea Caddy

Located in Forney, TX

An elegant fine quality English Regency period tea caddy. Circa 1815 Born in the early 19th century, exquisitely hand-crafted from the finest exotic rosewood, rectangular sarcopha...

Category

Early 19th Century Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

Set of 3 William IV Period Painted Toleware Shop Tea Canisters
Set of 3 William IV Period Painted Toleware Shop Tea Canisters

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...

Category

Early 19th Century British William IV Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Tôle

English Shagreen Tea Caddy 19th with Bone Finial
English Shagreen Tea Caddy 19th with Bone Finial

English Shagreen Tea Caddy 19th with Bone Finial

Located in Dallas, TX

Antique English shagreen cased six sided wooden tea caddy with nice silver mounts, bone finial and undivided interior. Comes with small silver pin to ...

Category

1880s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

Antique Swedish Folk Art Tea Caddy in Hand-Carved Wood, 19th century
Antique Swedish Folk Art Tea Caddy in Hand-Carved Wood, 19th century

Antique Swedish Folk Art Tea Caddy in Hand-Carved Wood, 19th century

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A fine hand-tooled and ebonized wooden tea canister of Swedish origin - circa 1850-1890. Folk art piece made by an unknown artisan. Measurements: H: 18 cm, Diameter: 15 cm.

Category

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Oak

English Regency Tea Caddy
English Regency Tea Caddy

English Regency Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

English Regency tea caddy, circa 1820s. Crafted in richly figured rosewood, this magnificent and highly unusual caddy is distinguished by extensive copper inlay and trim throughout. ...

Category

1820s English Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Copper

Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, circa 1830
Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, circa 1830

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...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Zebra Wood, Yew, Amboyna, Satinwood

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

19th Century Chinese Gold Lacquer Tea Caddy

Located in Brea, CA

19th century Chinese gold lacquer tea caddy container from the Qing Dynasty. Unique shape, hard to find.

Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Lacquer

French Black Lacquer, Mother of Pearl and Brass Inlay Tea Caddy
French Black Lacquer, Mother of Pearl and Brass Inlay Tea Caddy

French Black Lacquer, Mother of Pearl and Brass Inlay Tea Caddy

Located in Tampa, FL

A beautiful tea caddy with original key and original interior it is black lacquer, mother of pearl and has a brass inlay design all over the box. 19th century, France.

Category

19th Century French Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Message or Tea Leaves Three Holders
Message or Tea Leaves Three Holders

Message or Tea Leaves Three Holders

$335Sale 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...

Category

Late 20th Century Indian Other Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

Antique Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Canister, Mixing Glass, Regency, C.1820
Antique Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Canister, Mixing Glass, Regency, C.1820

Antique Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Canister, Mixing Glass, Regency, C.1820

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique tea caddy. An English, flame mahogany loose leaf tea container with glass mixer, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Attractive Regency period caddy with fi...

Category

1820s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century English Regency Boulle Tea Caddie, Hardwood, Antique Box
19th Century English Regency Boulle Tea Caddie, Hardwood, Antique Box

19th Century English Regency Boulle Tea Caddie, Hardwood, Antique Box

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

19th Century English Regency Boulle Tea Caddie. Very handsome and in beautiful shape.

Category

Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Hardwood

Edwardian 'Drum Shape' Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1905
Edwardian 'Drum Shape' Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1905

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

Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy

Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy

By Charles Aldridge & Henry Green

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 Georgian sterling silver tea caddy has a cylindrical form. The upper and lower portions of this Aesthetic style silver tea caddy is embellished with bands of bright cut engraved floral bud designs; further vertical bands segment the body into five equal portions, each encompassed with undulating wrigglework borders. The anterior portion of the body is ornamented with a bright cut engraved rectangular cut cornered cartouche encompassed with a radiating simplified floral and scrolling foliate decoration and featuring the contemporary engraved crest of a lion's head collared and erased. The further four segments bear Chinoiserie bright cut engraved Chinese symbols representing the four seasons: spring (? / chun), summer (? / xia), autumn (? / qiu) and winter (? / dong). This antique silver tea caddy retains the original hallmarked flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is encompassed with further bands of bright cut engraved decoration, reflecting the designs to the body. This impressive cover is surmounted with the original, exceptional carved wood and sterling silver pineapple...

Category

1780s British George III Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy, Hand-Crafted, Repousse Design, 1920
Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy, Hand-Crafted, Repousse Design, 1920

Antique Dutch Silver Tea Caddy, Hand-Crafted, Repousse Design, 1920

Located in Montreal, QC

Of oval outline; the body repousse with scenes of merrymaking, after Teniers, the hinged cover with radiating design and pierced gallery. Very well-made, this is a cheerful Dutch box...

Category

1920s Dutch Vintage Tea Caddies

Materials

Silver

1960's Japanese Tea Caddy Tin Canister
1960's Japanese Tea Caddy Tin Canister

1960's Japanese Tea Caddy Tin Canister

Located in New York, NY

1960's tin tea caddy covered in traditional Japanese woven gold fabric with floral motif. There are two lids, inner and outer to keep tea leaves fresh.

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Tea Caddies

Materials

Tin

Antique EnglisH Regency Tea Chest with Chinoiserie Decoration
Antique EnglisH Regency Tea Chest with Chinoiserie Decoration

Antique EnglisH Regency Tea Chest with Chinoiserie Decoration

Located in Northampton, GB

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Tea chest with Chinoiserie decoration, of rectangular sarcophagus form with a slightly tapered body and angled lid, raised upon four brass ball feet and dat...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Sycamore

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy, Inlaid Decoration, England, Circa 1790
Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy, Inlaid Decoration, England, Circa 1790

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy, Inlaid Decoration, England, Circa 1790

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A Late 18th century Georgian Period Mahogany Oblong tea caddy having very attractive inlaid decoration to front and hinged top enclosing double lidded interior with original paper foil landing. This particular caddy is relatively plain and simple in design, but is lifted significantly with the attractive inlaid decoration. It remains in relatively good condition and had clearly been well loved throughout its life. Tea was a precious commodity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and the purpose of a tea caddy was not just to preserve the and extend the life of the precious tea leaves, but also to enable the owner to lock away those aforementioned valuable tea leaves, keeping them safe from the house staffs potential wandering hands. This 18th century tea caddy...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Mahogany

19th century French oak and brass mounted tea caddy by Tahan of Paris C1880
19th century French oak and brass mounted tea caddy by Tahan of Paris C1880

19th century French oak and brass mounted tea caddy by Tahan of Paris C1880

Located in Central England, GB

A most impressive and highly decorative French large size double tea caddy made in tightly grained rich oak. The rectangular box stands on circular shaped brass feet with brass bea...

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Tea Caddies

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Regency Tea Caddy
19th Century English Regency Tea Caddy

19th Century English Regency Tea Caddy

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A mahogany tea caddy . It has an interesting shape.

Category

19th Century British 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.