In the 17th century, tea was first introduced to Britain from the East Indies by the Dutch East India Company who had a monopoly on this trade, as well as some of the spices now in common use. As a result, the leaf tea from which the drink was made was an extremely expensive commodity, and so had to be appropriately stored and safeguarded. The tea caddy was devised for this purpose.

The first tea caddies, sometimes called tea canisters, as they were only single compartment vessels, were often of silver, and bottle shaped with a removable top that could be used to measure tea into the pot.

In the 18th century, taxes were imposed on tea making it even more expensive, and to safeguard the contents a lockable box was devised. The simple forms of these boxes had a removable receptacle to store the tea. The larger examples housed more...

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Sterling silver ornate embossed tea caddy hallmarked London…

1896 London Hallmarked Sterling Silver Tea Caddy

Sterling silver ornate embossed tea caddy hallmarked London 1896, maker: Josiah Williams & Co, approximate total weight 130 grams

George I sterling silver tea caddy, mark of Elizabeth Goodwin,…

George I Silver Tea Caddy by Elizabeth Goodwin, London 1725

George I sterling silver tea caddy, mark of Elizabeth Goodwin, London, 1725, of octagonal form with domed, pull-off cap to slide-off cover, surmounted by an acorn finial, on stepped base, hallmarked, weight 207 grams height 13.5 cm. Provenance: Private…

Georgian oval satinwood and marquetry tea caddy, c. 1790,…

Georgian Satinwood & Marquetry Tea Caddy with Silver Spoon

Georgian oval satinwood and marquetry tea caddy, c. 1790, crossbanded with Brazilian rosewood, decorated with foliate design in harewood marquetry, with key and sterling silver tea spoon mark of George knight, London, 1821 (2), height 13 cm width 15 cm…

Victorian sarcophagus shaped mahogany tea caddy, c. 1860, with…

Victorian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Ivory and Brass Details

Victorian sarcophagus shaped mahogany tea caddy, c. 1860, with string inlay, an ivory keyhole and brass lion handles, raised on brass eagle claw and ball feet, containing two lidded compartments with ivory pulls, with ivory handled sterling silver tea…

Sterling silver tea caddy, Sheffield 1910-11, maker Martin Hall…

Sheffield Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, 1910-11

Sterling silver tea caddy, Sheffield 1910-11, maker Martin Hall and Co Ltd, 341 grams

A small Victorian silver tea caddy, by Deakin & Francis,…

Victorian Silver Tea Caddy by Deakin & Francis

A small Victorian silver tea caddy, by Deakin & Francis, Birmingham 1875. 115gm., oval with gadrooned rim, flame finial. Height 9 cm.

George III tortoise shell veneered tea caddy, octagonal shape…

Octagonal Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ivory Stringing

George III tortoise shell veneered tea caddy, octagonal shape with ivory stringing and silver escutcheon, lock missing, 11.5 x 9 cm, 10.5 cm high

George III sterling silver tea caddy by Paul Storr, marked…

George III Silver Tea Caddy by Paul Storr (1793)

George III sterling silver tea caddy by Paul Storr, marked London PS 1793 to the base. Passant to the lid and finala, dimensions 13 x 9 x 9 cm, weight 271 grams. Old restoration to the lock part, does close, without key

20th century. Brunei silver lidded tea caddy, traditional…

Brunei Silver Tea Caddy with Engraved Decoration

20th century. Brunei silver lidded tea caddy, traditional engraved decoration, height 8 cm, weight 115 grams

A European silver tea caddy of pumpkin form, l12 cm

European Silver Pumpkin Tea Caddy, 12cm

A European silver tea caddy of pumpkin form, l12 cm

An exceptional exhibition quality silver plated tea caddy…

Silver Plated Tea Caddy with High Relief Panels

An exceptional exhibition quality silver plated tea caddy adorned with silver electrotype panels in high relief. The interior fitted with two lidded tea cannisters with engraved tops, circa 1870. Impressed mark 'Elkington Faciet', 16 cm high, 18 cm wide,…

An English sterling silver cylindrical tea caddy by Williams of…

Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by Williams of Birmingham Ltd

An English sterling silver cylindrical tea caddy by Williams of Birmingham Ltd., circa 1909, 9.5 cm high, 7 cm diameter, 72 grams

An English sterling silver tea caddy in the form of a tin, by…

Sterling Silver Tea Caddy in Tin Form, 1910

An English sterling silver tea caddy in the form of a tin, by Stewart Dawson & Co. London, circa 1910, 11 cm high, 9.5 cm diameter, 268 grams

Dutch silver tea caddy plain footed oval form, the hinged lid…

Dutch Silver Tea Caddy with Ebonized Finial

Dutch silver tea caddy plain footed oval form, the hinged lid with ebonized finial

Edward VII sterling silver tea caddy part fluted quatrefoil…

Fluted Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, Chester 1904

Edward VII sterling silver tea caddy part fluted quatrefoil shape on bun feet, Chester 1904, approx 155 grams

Late 19th century Dutch silver tea caddy quatrefoil shape, oval…

Dutch Silver Tea Caddy with Cherubs and Birds

Late 19th century Dutch silver tea caddy quatrefoil shape, oval lid decorated with birds, the body with dancing cherubs, approx 123 grams

Edward VII sterling silver tea caddy in the form a Georgian III…

Edwardian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Knife Box, Sheffield 1908

Edward VII sterling silver tea caddy in the form a Georgian III knife box with engraved initials, Sheffield 1908, aprox 279 grams

Victorian sterling silver tea caddy oval shape with lion mask…

Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy with Lion Mask Handles

Victorian sterling silver tea caddy oval shape with lion mask and ring handles and part fluted and embossed scroll decoration, London 1897, approx 190 grams

Georgian V sterling silver tea caddy plain bombe form, the…

Plain Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy

Georgian V sterling silver tea caddy plain bombe form, the hinged lid with urn finial, Sheffield 1912, approx 139 grams

A late Victorian silver tea caddy, oval form, half embossed,…

Victorian Silver Tea Caddy with Embossed Design

A late Victorian silver tea caddy, oval form, half embossed, with cap form lid, height 9.5 cm. London 1896 by Josiah Williams & Co (George Maudsley Jackson). 152gm.

A stunning pair of George III sterling silver Chippendale…

George III Sterling Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddies

A stunning pair of George III sterling silver Chippendale pagoda shaped tea caddies in the chinoiserie style. Made by John Marshall of London, circa 1764. Each with fine hand worked repousse decoration to the side panels, including a female tea picker…

A matched pair of Sheffield plate tea caddies of rectangular…

Beaded Sheffield Plate Tea Caddies, 1870s

A matched pair of Sheffield plate tea caddies of rectangular boxed form with beaded trim decoration, circa 1870s. 9.5 cm high

Sterling silver embossed tea caddy, beautifully embossed…

Embossed Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, Chester 1905

Sterling silver embossed tea caddy, beautifully embossed village scene, hallmarked Chester 1905

George II sterling silver tea caddy, mark of Ebenezer Coker,…

George II Silver Tea Caddy, London 1763

George II sterling silver tea caddy, mark of Ebenezer Coker, London, 1763, of rectangular shape, engraved with scrolls, leaves and flowers, lidded, hallmarked, height 13 cm weight 314 grams. Provenance: The Estate of Diana Kemp, NSW

A George III sterling silver tea canister, John Roberts & Co.,…

George III Silver Tea Canister with Repousse Swag Decoration

A George III sterling silver tea canister, John Roberts & Co., Sheffield, early 19th century (date mark indistinct), ovoid on a square platform based with ball feet, the body with repousse swag decoration, the cover and foot with stylised stiff leaves, 17…

An unusual sterling silver tea caddy with engraved decoration…

Engraved Silver Tea Caddy with Ivory Pineapple Finial

An unusual sterling silver tea caddy with engraved decoration and carved ivory pineapple finial, stamped 'T.B.' with London marks for 1902, 10 cm high, 160 grams total

A George I Britannia standard silver tea canister, rectangular…

Georgian Silver Tea Canister with Monogram, London 1723

A George I Britannia standard silver tea canister, rectangular with canted corners, slide out top and lift of domed cover serving as a measure. Monogrammed MM within a finely engraved rocaille cartouche incorporating three escalops. London 1723 by John…

A rare pair of 18th century German Nuremberg silver lidded tea…

18th Century German Nuremberg Silver Tea Caddies

A rare pair of 18th century German Nuremberg silver lidded tea caddies, baluster urn form with pedestal bases, the domed lids with oval finials, embossed and engraved leaf, ribbed and swag forms, height 20 cm. 528gm. Provenance: Ex. the estate collection…

An English Art Nouveau sterling silver tea caddy by E.S.…

Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by E.S. Barnsley

An English Art Nouveau sterling silver tea caddy by E.S. Barnsley of Birmingham, circa 1911. Note: the design was registered in 1901. 11 cm high, 10 cm wide, 158 grams

A George III silver plain tea caddy, oval form with seated…

George III Silver Tea Caddy with Griffin Crest

A George III silver plain tea caddy, oval form with seated griffin crest on oval cartouche, the flat lid with oval urn form finial, hidden hinge. London 1784 by Charles Aldridge & Henry Green, width 13 cm.

Late Victorian sterling silver tea caddy, faceted oval form,…

Faceted Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, London 1899

Late Victorian sterling silver tea caddy, faceted oval form, hinged lid with urn finial, body with raised band, London 1899, approx 136 grams (small dents)

Rare Georgian ivory tea caddy, ten sided with silver framed…

Georgian Ivory Tea Caddy with Silver Inlay and Miniature

Rare Georgian ivory tea caddy, ten sided with silver framed hand painted central miniature surrounded by inlaid silver decoration

A George III silver tea caddy, makers' mark of Peter and Ann…

George III Silver Tea Caddy by Peter & Ann Bateman (1799)

A George III silver tea caddy, makers' mark of Peter and Ann Bateman, London 1799, shaped oval with domed hinged cover revealing a double compartment interior, having bands of bright cut engraved fruit and flowers and two cartouches with presentation…

A George III silver tea caddy, maker's mark of John Denzilow,…

George III Silver Tea Caddy, London 1791, Engraved Floral Design

A George III silver tea caddy, maker's mark of John Denzilow, London 1791, rectangular with canted corners and a slightly domed cover with finial, having bands of bright cut engraving of flowerheads and two vacant cartouches, height 14 cm, 462g

Silver tea caddy having worn English hallmarks London assay.…

Antique English Silver Tea Caddy with Hallmarks - Floral Pattern

Silver tea caddy having worn English hallmarks London assay. Maker unknown. Having an oval from with impressed scrolled floral patterning and domed finial top. Hight: 12 cm. Weight:225.2 grams.

Sterling silver tea caddy, lid decorated with a fairy playing a…

Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy with Fairy and Bacchanalian Scene

Sterling silver tea caddy, lid decorated with a fairy playing a violin. Base with bacchanalian type procession in a classical setting. Chester 1904 by George Nathan and Ridley Hayes. 7 x 7 cm 123g

Fine quality 19th century Anglo-Indian silver tea caddy,…

19th Century Anglo-Indian Silver Tea Caddy with Ornate Floral Decoration

Fine quality 19th century Anglo-Indian silver tea caddy, rectangular shape with hinged lid, concave corners, traditional ornate allover floral decoration, 183 grams

Dutch silver cylindrical lidded tea caddy, traditional embossed…

Dutch Silver Tea Caddy with Traditional Embossed Decoration

Dutch silver cylindrical lidded tea caddy, traditional embossed decoration of figures, horses and carts in a landscape, 188 grams

A fine Indian silver tea caddy, 950 silver, 19th century the…

19th Century Indian Silver Tea Caddy with Elephant Handles

A fine Indian silver tea caddy, 950 silver, 19th century the heavily embossed and chased lozenge shape tea caddy with elephant twin handles, each rectangular side decorated with a caparisoned elephant or a dancing figure on a mythical creature, against an…

An antique sterling silver tea caddy with turned ivory finial,…

An antique sterling silver tea caddy with turned ivory finial, by William Comyns of London, circa 1902, 11 cm high, 162 grams total

Edwardian sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked London, 1902, W.…

Edwardian sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked London, 1902, W.N//G.N (W & G Neal),with cylindrical cover, set above a rectangular body beautifully embossed with acanthus, c-scroll and floral motifs, total weight 165gm, height 15 cm

Victorian silver tea caddy Marked London 1892 William Comyns,…

Victorian silver tea caddy Marked London 1892 William Comyns, length 8 cm, weight 81 grams, two minor bruises

Malay silver tea caddy, dish and rose bowl, 20th century, (3…

Malay silver tea caddy, dish and rose bowl, 20th century, (3 items), the caddy 9 cm high, 240 grams total

Danish tea caddy, in 800 Danish silver with a bulbous form…

Danish tea caddy, in 800 Danish silver with a bulbous form having a stepped domed lid with wooden scalloped carved finial, gadrooned shoulders, floral garland central line and oval stepped base with a garland of leaves forming a border. Assay by Christian…

A George V silver tea caddy, plain circular form with gadrooned…

A George V silver tea caddy, plain circular form with gadrooned rims and pull off lid, Mappin & Webb, London 1911, height 8.5 cm. Weight 94 cm.

Late George III sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked London,…

Late George III sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked London, 1808, Thomas Hayter, of oval form, with a cylindrical cover, with bands of foliate engraving to shoulders and base, total weight 136gm, height 8.8 cm and width 8.5 cm. Provenance: The Estate of…

A fine George II sterling silver rococo tea caddy, 1750 London,…

A fine George II sterling silver rococo tea caddy, 1750 London, w maker's mark Samuel Herbert & Co. Rectangular bombe form w detachable cover, surmounted by a gesticulating cherub & bird finial, raised on 4 shell & scroll feet, lavishly decorated w…

Wonderful pair of Australian specimen boxes, comprising a…

Wonderful pair of Australian specimen boxes, comprising a sewing box and tea caddy, both of rectangular form, set with diamond panels to the body in specimens of Australian woods, both interior fitted, 13 cm x 25 cm x 13.5 cm (tea caddy) and 10 cm x 18.5…

Large Victorian mahogany tea caddy, c.1860, the hinged facetted…

Large Victorian mahogany tea caddy, c.1860, the hinged facetted cover decorated with inlaid border, the body set with twin brass drop ring handles and brass escutcheon and key, opening to reveal central mixing bowl flanked by two lidded compartments, with…

19th century Dutch silver tea caddy, marked 833, 1860, of lobed…

19th century Dutch silver tea caddy, marked 833, 1860, of lobed rectangular form, decorated with acanthus and flower motifs in relief to top and sides, total weight 270gm, height 8 cm

Superb George III sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked, London,…

Superb George III sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked, London,1781, Daniel Smith & Robert sharp, of shaped oval form, set with a floral finial, surrounded by fine beaded borders, the body beautifully engraved with central armorial, above a fine lower…