waxantiques

Tea Caddies

A Tea Caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea. The word is believed to be derived from “catty”, the Chinese pound, equal to about a pound and a third avoirdupois. The earliest examples that came to Europe were Chinese tea canisters in blue and white porcelain with china lids or stoppers. Tea in the early 18th Century was expensive, and also there was a tax on tea, so early tea caddies were small and made in precious materials such as silver, shagreen or tortoiseshell which reflected the valuable contents within.

Some of the earliest silver examples have sliding bases (or tops) and the cap was used for measuring the tea. By the mid 18th century matching sets were available, with two caddies (for green and black tea) and a sugar bowl (or mixing bowl), all fitted into a wooden or shagreen case, often with silver mounts. During the late 1700’s the locking silver tea caddy was introduced with its own key which the lady of the house kept on the chatelaine around her waist. Double locking tea caddies in silver are rare.

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Tea Caddies

A Tea Caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea. The word is believed to be derived from “catty”, the Chinese pound, equal to about a pound and a third avoirdupois. The earliest examples that came to Europe were Chinese tea canisters in blue and white porcelain with china lids or stoppers. Tea in the early 18th Century was expensive, and also there was a tax on tea, so early tea caddies were small and made in precious materials such as silver, shagreen or tortoiseshell which reflected the valuable contents within.

Some of the earliest silver examples have sliding bases (or tops) and the cap was used for measuring the tea. By the mid 18th century matching sets were available, with two caddies (for green and black tea) and a sugar bowl (or mixing bowl), all fitted into a wooden or shagreen case, often with silver mounts. During the late 1700’s the locking silver tea caddy was introduced with its own key which the lady of the house kept on the chatelaine around her waist. Double locking tea caddies in silver are rare.

  • 1702

    Simon Pantin

    3557 Queen Anne Silver Tea Caddies

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    A rare pair of antique Britannia standard* silver tea containers of heavy rectangular design and having engraved armorials and lift off lids. Weight 21 troy ounces. Height 12 cms. Width 8.5 cms. Depth 5 cms. London 1702. By Simon Pantin.

  • 1704

    Thomas Parr

    10352 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tea Caddy

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    An extremely rare collector’s item dating to the early 1700’s. This unique little silver tea box of cube form has a hinged lid with octagonal finial. The hand applied matted work is very specific to the 1680-90 period. The small size is due to the rarity of tea at this early date. Weight 203g, 6.5 troy oz. Height 9cm (finial), 7cm. Top measures 6.3cm square. London 1704. Maker Thomas Parr I. Britannia standard silver.

  • Circa 1711

    John Farnell

    7574 Queen Anne Silver Tea Caddy

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    A good early English silver caddy of plain rectangular design with canted corners. With sliding base and lift off cap which doubles as a tea measure. Britannia standard silver. Excellent patina and clear marks. Weight 195 grams, 6.2 troy ounces. Height 13.5 cms. Base 7 x 4 cms. London 1711. Maker John Farnell.

  • 1714

    John Farnell

    6402 George I Silver Tea Caddy

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    A good early English silver caddy of plain rectangular design with canted corners. With sliding base and lift off cap which doubles as a tea measure. Britannia standard silver*. Excellent patina and clear marks. Weight 192 grams, 6.1 troy ounces. Height 13 cms. Base 8 x 5 cms. London 1714. Maker John Farnell.

  • 1714

    John Farnell

    6795 George I Silver Tea Caddy

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    A good early English silver caddy of plain rectangular design with canted corners. With sliding top and lift off cap which doubles as a tea measure. Britannia standard silver*. Excellent patina and clear marks. Weight 179 grams, 5.7 troy ounces. Height 11.5 cms. Base 8 x 5.75 cms. London 1714. Maker John Furnell.

  • 1718

    John Farnell

    10303 George I Antique Silver Tea Caddy

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    A good early English silver caddy of plain rectangular design with the plain hexagonal design typical of the early 1700’s. The sliding top has a lift off cap which doubles as a tea measure. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 12.6cm. Base 8.9 x 5.8cm. London 1718. Maker John Farnell. Britannia standard silver – purity 95.8%*. 18th century.

  • 1723

    Edward Gibbons

    9133 George I Silver Tea Caddies with Sliding Tops

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    A rare pair of antique sterling silver tea caddy boxes with sliding lids. The removable cap doubles up as a tea measure. Lovely plain hexagonal design and good gauge silver. Each sliding top caddy has a decorative cartouche hand engraved to the front. Total weight 390 grams, 12.5 troy ounces. Height 12 cms. Base 9 x 6 cms. London 1723. Maker Edward Gibbons.

  • 1726

    Richard Gines

    5970 George I Silver Tea Caddy with Sliding Base

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    An excellent antique sterling silver tea caddy box with sliding base and removable cap which can be used as a tea measure. Lovely plain style and good gauge silver. Weight 236 grams, 7.5 troy ounces. Height 14 cms. Base 8.75 x 5.5 cms. London 1726. Maker Richard Gines.

  • 1748

    Edward Wakelin

    9454 Antique George II Silver Caddy

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    A magnificent antique sterling silver tea box with a sliding top and cast silver flower finial. Very heavy cast silver design. The deep relief decoration includes flowers, shells, scrolls and a magnificent lions head and paw. After a Paul de Lamerie design. Weight 462 grams, 14.8 troy ounces. Height 13.5cm. Top 10.2 x6.7cm. London 1748. Maker Edward Wakelin for George Wickes.

  • 1753

    Phillips Garden

    6666 Set of George II Silver Caddies by Phillip Garden

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    An excellent quality matching set of antique sterling silver tea jars with lift off lids and finely engraved armorials . Attractive vase shape with rope border and cute little flower finial. With spiral decoration and high relief embossed flower decoration. One large caddy (originally for sugar) and a matching pair of smaller caddies (for green and black tea). Remarkable weight. Weight 929 grams, 29.8 troy ounces. Large caddy height 15 cms, diameter (inside top) 6.35 cms (bottom) 6.75 cms. Pair of smaller caddies height 15 cms, diameter (inside top) 5.5 cms (bottom) 6 cms. London 1753. Maker Phillip Garden.

  • 1755

    George Methuen

    9758 George II Silver Tea Caddy

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    An attractive antique silver tea box of shaped bombay form on scroll feet and having a pull off lid with bird finial. Embossed decoration of flowers and scrolls. Engraved to the front is a monogram of intertwined initials in old fashioned script. Weight 366 grams, 11.7 troy ounces. Height 16 cm. Measurements (max) width 9.2 x depth 8 cm. London 1755. Maker George Methuen. Sterling silver.

  • 1761

    Emick Romer

    9755 George III Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy

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    A fine example of an antique silver caddy box of bombe form with a side hinged lid and standing on scrolling feet. The sides are embossed with charming scenes of Chinese daily life. The lid finial is in the form of a mother and baby. Weight 366 grams, 11.7 troy ounces. Height 16cm. Body measurements at maximum – width 9.2cm, depth 8cm. London 1761. Maker Emick Romer. Sterling silver.

  • 1762

    Samuel Taylor

    9297 George III Silver Caddy

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    An excellent quality antique sterling silver tea caddy or sugar jar with lift off lid. Attractive vase shape with cast and pierced foot, and cute little flower finial. High relief embossed flower and scroll decoration. Excellent weight. Weight 332 grams, 10.6 troy ounces. Height 14 cm, diameter 10.5 cm. London 1762. Maker Samuel Taylor.
    This would have been originally one of a set of 3 matching caddies in a fitted box. One large caddy (originally for sugar) and a matching pair of smaller caddies (for green and black tea).

  • 1770

     

    7890 Pair of Antique George III Silver Tea Caddies

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    An elegant pair of antique sterling silver tea boxes of plain serpentine form having gadroon borders and cast leaf scroll feet and ornaments. With domed pull off lids. Weight 661 grams, 21.2 troy ounces. Height 16 cms. Base 9.75 x 8.25 cms. London 1770. Maker “SW”.

  • 1772

    Thomas Justis

    7191 Pair of George III Silver Tea Caddies

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    A fine pair of antique sterling silver drum caddy boxes of plain circular form having hinged lids with flower finials. Bright internal gilding. These delightful tea boxes each have an engraved crest to the top together with the name of a tea, one has “GREEN” and the other has “BOHEA” (a Chinese black tea). The lids and body are hand engraved with intertwined foliage and swags of harebells. Weight 587 grams, 18.8 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cms. Diameter 10 cms. London 1772. Maker Thomas Justis.

  • 1775

    Richard Morton

    9513 George III Antique Silver Tea Caddy

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    A very elegant antique sterling silver tea caddy of oval form with a hinged lid, lock and key. Beautifully hand engraved with flower and swag decoration. Bead borders. The lid has a flush inset hinge and ring top. Weight 332 grams, 10.6 troy ounces. Top 12.2 x 8 cm. Height 8.7 cm. Sheffield 1775. Maker Richard Morton & Co.

  • 1786

    John Scofield

    9802 George III Silver Sugar Vases

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    An elegant pair of antique silver vases with matching detachable lids. Good plain style with applied ribbed mounts. To the front and lid each has a hand engraved crest of a crown over a monogram of intertwined initials in old script. Weight 951 grams, 30.5 troy ounces. Height 17cm (vase), 23.5cm (to top of lid). London 1786. Maker John Scofield. Sterling silver.

  • 1789

    William Abdy

    9034 George III Silver Tea Caddy

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    A good quality George III sterling silver caddy of plain rectangular design with canted corners. The lift off cap doubles as a tea measure. Hand engraved to one side with a crest, to the other there is a decorative monogram. Weight 152 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Height 10 cms. Base 6.1 x 4.5 cms. London 1789. Maker John Farnell.

  • 1791

    Peter & Ann Bateman

    10244 George III Antique Silver Caddy Box

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    A very elegant antique silver tea caddy of oval form with hinged lid and interior divider for green and black tea. Fully locking with a key supplied. Nice dainty size. The box has beautiful hand engraved decoration of flower swags, bands of bright cut engraving top and bottom, and an oval cartouche front and back containing an armorial for the Lunden family with crest and motto. The lid has a flush inset hinge and urn shaped finial. Weight 279 grams, 8.9 troy ounces. Base 10.8cm. Height 12.5cm to top of finial. London 1791. Maker Peter and Anne Bateman. Sterling silver. 18th century.

  • 1796

    Henry Nutting

    9917 George III Silver Tea Caddy

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    A very elegant antique sterling silver tea caddy of oval form with a hinged lid. Beautifully hand engraved with bands of bright cut engraving and classical flower and swag decoration. The lid has a flush inset hinge. To the front is a decorative cartouche containing a monogram in old fashioned script. Weight 399 grams, 12.8 troy ounces. Top 13.5 x 8.8cm. Height 16cm. London 1796. Maker Henry Nutting.

  • 1804

    Peter‚ Ann & William Bateman

    9730 George III Silver Tea Cannister

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    An antique silver caddy of plain rectangular form with pull off lid. Made by the sought after Bateman family. This cannister shape has very pleasing geometric lines. Weight 228 grams, 7.3 troy ounces. Height 8cm (9.2cm to top of cap). London 1781. Maker Peter, William & Anne Bateman. Sterling silver.

  • 1805

    Joseph & Albert Savory

    10304 George III Antique Silver Tea Caddy

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    An excellent antique silver caddy of plain rectangular design with a plain hexagonal design. The sliding top has a lift off cap which doubles as a tea measure. Weight 218 grams, 7.0 troy ounces. Height 12.6cm. Base 8.9 x 5.8cm. London 1805. Maker Savory, Farrand & Sheldrick. Sterling silver. 19th century.

  • 1806

    John Emes

    9872 George III Silver Tea Caddy

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    An unusual antique silver tea caddy box of curved rectangular form. Lovely classic style. This is a double caddy designed for both black and green tea. Beautifully engraved to the lid and body with leaf borders and a thick band of foliate scrolls with interspersed flowerheads. To the front is a monogram in old fashioned script. The fixed carrying handle has a reed and acanthus decoration. The unusual double opening lid has an inset hinge and there is a lock to either side. Key provided. Weight 661 grams, 21.2 troy ounces. Height 12.2 cm, 19.6 cm to top of handle. Top measures 15.5 x 12.2 cm. London 1806. Maker John Emes. Sterling silver.

  • 1807

    John Emes

    7527 George III Silver Caddy Box by John Emes

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    A rare style antique sterling silver tea caddy box of plain oval form with a fixed carrying handle with reed and acanthus decoration. Lovely classic style. The unusual double opening lid has an inset hinge and there is a lock to either side. Weight 485 grams, 15.5 troy ounces. Height 18 cms including handle. Length 15 cms. Width 12 cms. London 1807. Maker John Emes

  • 1808

    William Emes

    7932 George III Silver Caddy Box

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    An unusual antique sterling silver tea caddy box of plain oval form with a hinged carrying handle. With a broad egg and dart border to the top edge. Typical Georgian style. The double opening lid has an inset hinge and there is a lock to either side. Weight 581 grams, 18.6 troy ounces. Height 10 cms, 17.5 cms to top of handle. Top measures 15.5 x 12 cms. London 1808. Maker Rebecca & William Emes.

  • Circa 1820

     

    9207 Antique German Box

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    A good quality antique silver box of shaped bombe form with a ribbed body, hinged lid and flower finial. Probably a sugar box or tea caddy. Original gilt interior. Good gauge silver. Weight 287 grams, 9.2 troy ounces. Height 12.5 cm. Top measures 12.8 x 8.5 cm. Marked underneath with the old German silver mark “12” and initial “P”. Circa 1820.

  • 1880

    Charles Boynton

    7847 Antique Silver and Overlay Glass Casket

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    An excellent quality antique sterling silver mounted box with faceted ruby glass panels and star cut base. In the style of Baccarat. The top is engraved with a stag in a forest scene. To the front there is an aperture, presumably for a spoon, indicating that it is probably for sugar. Height 11 cm. Width 13 cm. Depth 10 cm. The silver mount is stamped with English silver hallmarks for London 1880. Maker Charles Boyton.

  • 1880

    John Septimus Beresford

    9994 Antique Silver Tea Caddies

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    A magnificent pair of antique silver tea caddy boxes of cannister form with lift off lids. Large size and good gauge silver. Gilt finish. Britannia standard silver. The body is beautifully ornamented with cherubs, swags, acanthus leaf and other classical motifs on a hand chased matted background. Each box has an armorial engraved to the front and a monogram of old fashioned initials to the reverse. Total weight 841 grams, 27 troy ounces. Height 16.7m. Base 8 x 8cm. London 1880. Maker John Septimus Beresford.

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  • 1710

    Richard Watts

    9039 Antique Queen Anne Silver Tea Caddy

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    A good quality early English silver caddy of plain rectangular design with canted corners. *Britannia standard silver. The lift off cap doubles as a tea measure. Hand engraved to one side with a crest, to the other there is a decorative monogram. Weight 118 grams, 3.7 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms. Base 6.2 x 4.2 cms. London 1710. Maker Richard Watts. This box matches #9034 George III tea caddy.

  • 1704

    Thomas Parr

    10352 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tea Caddy

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    An extremely rare collector’s item dating to the early 1700’s. This unique little silver tea box of cube form has a hinged lid with octagonal finial. The hand applied matted work is very specific to the 1680-90 period. The small size is due to the rarity of tea at this early date. Weight 203g, 6.5 troy oz. Height 9cm (finial), 7cm. Top measures 6.3cm square. London 1704. Maker Thomas Parr I. Britannia standard silver.

  • 1704

    Thomas Parr

    9570 Antique Queen Anne Silver Porringer

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    A fine antique silver porringer with bands of ribbing and bright cut engraving. Britannia standard silver. Good size. Hand engraved to the front within a decorative cartouche is the name Patience Larcombe with a vase of flowers and date 1709. Very good condition and patina. Weight 358 grams, 11.1 troy ounces. Height 12 cm. Diameter 13.5 cm. Spread 21 cm. London 1704. Maker Thomas Parr.

  • 1702

    Richard Syng

    7929 Antique Queen Anne Silver Boxes

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    A very rare matching pair of early antique silver boxes of circular form, with pull off tops, dating from the reign of Queen Anne. Britannia standard silver*. With the typical ribbed decoration of the period and gadroon borders. Uninscribed. Total weight 845 grams, 27.1 troy ounces. Height 10.5 cms. Diameter 12 cms (top), 13.75 cms (base). London 1702. Maker Richard Syng, London.

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