Description

A fine antique sterling silver tea caddy box of plain oval form, the fixed carrying handle with reed and acanthus decoration. Elegant classical features with bands of shell motifs hand engraved within concentric prick dot lines. The bucket handbag shape is very unusual. The double opening lid has an inset hinge and there is a lock to either side.

Weight 546 grams, 17.5 troy ounces.
Height 18.5cm (to top of handle), 11.5cm (to top of caddy). Length 15cm. Width 10.2cm.
London 1796. Maker Henry Chawner & John Emes.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks. Lion mark below each lid.

Literature. 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.

In very good condition. Crisp decoration. No key available.

Maker: Henry Chawner And John Emes

Henry Chawner, free of Goldsmiths Company by patrimony. 1st mark (2 sizes) entered as plateworker 1786. 2nd mark (2 sizes) 1787. Married the daughter and heiress of Edward Hore in 1791, Livery 1791. 3rd mark as partner with John Emes 1796. Elected to Court of Assistants 1801. Died 1851. John Emes, London silversmithery with prestigious origins. Originally established by Anthony Nelme c.1680, taken over by Francis Nelme in 1722 and then Thomas Whipham in 1739, passing it to his son Thomas Whipham jr (took Charles Wright into partnership) in 1756. Henry Chawner took over the business in 1786; Chawner had been Edward Barnard I’s master and Barnard’s son Edward became foreman of the firm. In 1796 John Emes became a partner and when Chawner retired Emes took over keeping Edward Barnard II as manager. Emes died in 1808 and his widow Rebecca took Edward Barnard II as partner. In 1829 Edward Barnard I became owner, when Rebecca Emes retired, together with his son Edward Barnard II, John Barnard and William Barnard, trading under the style Edward Barnard & Sons. After the retirement of Edward Barnard I the firm was continued by Edward Barnard II (1846-1851), John Barnard I (1846-1868), William Barnard (1846), Edward Barnard III (1868), Walter Barnard (1868-1903), John Barnard II (1868-1903), Michael Barnard (1896-1903), Stanley Barnard (1896-1903) and Robert Dubcock (1896). The firm was converted into a limited liability company in 1910 under the style Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd. In 1977 Edward Barnard & Sons Limited became a subsidiary of Padgett & Braham Ltd.

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