Description

A very elegant antique sterling silver tea caddy of oval form with a hinged lid. Beautifully hand engraved with a lovely decoration of flower swags, bands of bright engraving top and bottom, and a circular cartouche front and back. Uninscribed. The lid has a flush inset hinge and a carved wooden finial. Weight 370 grams, 11.8 troy ounces. Base 13 x 9 cm. Height 13 cm to top of finial. London 1787. Maker Charles Chesterman.

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.
Some of the earliest silver examples have sliding bases (or tops) and the cap was used for measuring the tea. By the mid eighteenth century matching sets were available, with two caddies (for green and black tea) and a sugar 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.

This pretty silver box is in good condition. The engraving is still sharp. Stamped underneath with a full and clear set of English silver hallmarks, the lid with the lion mark. The small pin in the lid (which slots into the lock) is missing, lock untested, no key. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Maker: Charles Chesterman

Charles Chesterman I, apprenticed to George Greenhill 1734, free 1748. 1st mark entered as largeworker 1741, 2nd mark 1752, 3rd mark 1771. Died c.1775 when his widow Ann Chesterman entered her mark. Charles Chesterman II, apprenticed to his father 1766, free 1766. 1st mark entered as smallworker 1780, 2nd mark 1801, 3rd mark 1809.

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