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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A silver topped cut glass tea canister, probably 19th century.…

19th Century Silver Topped Cut Glass Tea Canister

A silver topped cut glass tea canister, probably 19th century. the straight-sided glass canister with notched canted corners and rounded shoulders, with star forms to both faces and a flat base with a ground pontil, the unmarked silver collar with a…

Sterling silver lidded tea caddy on four feet hallmarked…

London Hallmarked Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by Carrington & Co

Sterling silver lidded tea caddy on four feet hallmarked London1910, maker: Carrington & Co, 190 grams

A late Victorian silver tea caddy, plain oval cylindrical with…

Victorian Silver Tea Caddy, Chester 1900

A late Victorian silver tea caddy, plain oval cylindrical with close-fitted cover; Chester 1900

A Victorian silver tea caddy. Worn marks. Chester, 1900. 99gm

Victorian Silver Tea Caddy, Chester 1900

A Victorian silver tea caddy. Worn marks. Chester, 1900. 99gm

German silver tea caddy, Hanau, 19th century, chased in high…

Hanau Tea Caddy with Classical Figures and Cherubs

German silver tea caddy, Hanau, 19th century, chased in high relief with classical figures and cherubs amongst foliage, hallmarked, approx. Weight 181 grams height 13 cm. Provenance: The collection of a lady, Darling point

A Chinese porcelain tea caddy, European silver shape, square…

Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Tea Caddy

A Chinese porcelain tea caddy, European silver shape, square pillow form with arched shoulders, decorated in underglaze blue with lakeside pavilions and temples. Lid absent. Height 11.5 cm

Dutch silver tea caddy hand wrought figure decorations to…

Dutch Silver Tea Caddy with Hand Wrought Figure Decorations

Dutch silver tea caddy hand wrought figure decorations to circumference and lid, pseudo hallmarked to base and '930,' height 8 cm; weight 150grams

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

Edwardian sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked London 1902…

Edwardian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, London 1902

Edwardian sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked London 1902 (Sibray, Hall & Co Ltd), 11.8 cm high, 176 grams

George V sterling silver two handled tea caddy bombe shape,…

George V Silver Tea Caddy with Swing Handle and Legs

George V sterling silver two handled tea caddy bombe shape, domed lid with swing handle on 4 shell top scroll legs, Sheffield 1918, maker William Hutton & Sons, Ltd

Antique silver plated tea caddy, wine funnel, and grape scissors

Antique silver tea caddy, funnel & grape scissors

Antique silver plated tea caddy, wine funnel, and grape scissors

An silver gilt mounted porcelain tea canister, by Sampson of…

Silver Gilt Porcelain Tea Canister by Sampson, Paris (1920)

An silver gilt mounted porcelain tea canister, by Sampson of Paris, circa 1920. 12 cm high

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)

Silver on copper early Victorian tea caddy, approx 11 cm high,…

Early Victorian Silver on Copper Tea Caddy

Silver on copper early Victorian tea caddy, approx 11 cm high, 8.5 cm diameter

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.

An Art Nouveau glass tea caddy by Pallme-Konig, canister form…

Pallme-Konig Art Nouveau Glass Tea Caddy

An Art Nouveau glass tea caddy by Pallme-Konig, canister form with traditional iridescent trail and lustrous body. Silver plate screw-down lid with mark to interior, possibly that for WMF, height 17 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

George V sterling silver oval tea caddy, plain oval the hinged…

George V Silver Tea Caddy, Birmingham 1913

George V sterling silver oval tea caddy, plain oval the hinged lid with flaming finial, Birmingham 1913

Good vintage silver plate tea caddy, reeded decoration, marked…

Vintage Silver Plate Tea Caddy with Key and Markings

Good vintage silver plate tea caddy, reeded decoration, marked to base, HB & HS, with key. Width 13 cm Height 11 cm approx.

Oriental lacquer tea caddy, with silver plated inserts

Lacquer Tea Caddy with Silver Plated Inserts

Oriental lacquer tea caddy, with silver plated inserts

A 19th century silver plate tea caddy and teapot stand, the…

Silver Plate Tea Caddy and Teapot Stand

A 19th century silver plate tea caddy and teapot stand, the oval tea caddy with key opening to reveal a two-compartment interior, the shield engraved cartouche framed with floral spray and ribbon, the oval teapot stand with similar cartouche, bead edge to…

Antique silver plate tea caddy, crested with stag, marked…

William Hutton Silver Plate Stag Crested Tea Caddy

Antique silver plate tea caddy, crested with stag, marked William Hutton, 11 cm high

An apprentice silver plate tea caddy, etched to the inner lid,…

Antique Silver Plate Tea Caddy by Jas. W Prickett (1891)

An apprentice silver plate tea caddy, etched to the inner lid, worked by Jas. W Prickett 3rd February 1891', height 13 cm

An early Georgian Old Sheffield plate tea caddy 13 cm high

Georgian Sheffield Plate Tea Caddy - 13 cm High

An early Georgian Old Sheffield plate tea caddy 13 cm high

Edwardian sterling silver tea caddy hallmarked Sheffield 1909,…

1909 Sheffield Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, 60g, 7.5cm High

Edwardian sterling silver tea caddy hallmarked Sheffield 1909, 60 grams approx, 7.5 cm high

A late Victorian silver tea caddy, oval basket weave form, pull…

Victorian Silver Tea Caddy, Sheffield 1897

A late Victorian silver tea caddy, oval basket weave form, pull off lid. Sheffield 1897 by Martin, Hall & Co, height 7.8 cm. 73gm

A fine American silver plated tea caddy, early 20th century,…

Early 20th Century American Silver Plated Tea Caddy

A fine American silver plated tea caddy, early 20th century, with Soc mark with Crown, the oval canister finely embossed in the antique manner with Teniers style decoration to the body and lid, silver on copper; trademark stamp underside, height 12 cm.

Silver plated tea caddy

Silver Tea Caddy

Silver plated tea caddy

A George III style Sheffield plate tea caddy, oval with gadroon…

Gadroon-rimmed Sheffield Plate Tea Caddy with Monograms

A George III style Sheffield plate tea caddy, oval with gadroon rims, engraved monograms to either side, height 9.5 cm

A quality silver plated tea caddy, with a hinged lid and…

Silver Plated Tea Caddy with Peacock Crest

A quality silver plated tea caddy, with a hinged lid and moulded fluted design to lower body and a engraved peacock crest to lid, height 9.5 cm, width 15 cm, depth 11 cm

Antique Sheffield plate oval fluted tea caddy

Fluted Sheffield Plate Tea Caddy

Antique Sheffield plate oval fluted tea caddy

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

Sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked Chester 1912, maker…

Chester Hallmarked Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, 1912

Sterling silver tea caddy, hallmarked Chester 1912, maker William Hutton & Sons Ltd, 10.5 cm high approx., 77g approx., as inspected

Royal Doulton Queens Ware Dame tea caddy with silver lid marked…

Royal Doulton Dame Tea Caddy with Silver Lid

Royal Doulton Queens Ware Dame tea caddy with silver lid marked STER, 14 cm high approx

Small sterling silver tea caddy, plain cylindrical shape, marks…

Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, 8 cm High

Small sterling silver tea caddy, plain cylindrical shape, marks worn, 8 cm high

An ornate Old Sheffield Plate tea caddy, decorated with lion…

Lion-adorned Old Sheffield Plate Tea Caddy

An ornate Old Sheffield Plate tea caddy, decorated with lion head ring handles and a lion finial, height 17 cm, width 18.5 cm, depth 11.5 cm

George V sterling silver tea caddy, plain cylindrical form,…

George V Silver Tea Caddy, Birmingham 1912, Flavelle Sydney

George V sterling silver tea caddy, plain cylindrical form, Birmingham 1912, base stamped Flavelle, Sydney

18th century Sheffield silver on copper tea caddy, of shaped…

Sheffield Silver Tea Caddy with Beaded Borders

18th century Sheffield silver on copper tea caddy, of shaped form, with a hinged cover with handle, decorated with beaded borders, a/f, height 11.5 cm

An Old Sheffield Plate tea caddy & sugar sifter, late 19th…

Late 19th Century Sheffield Plate Tea Caddy & Sifter

An Old Sheffield Plate tea caddy & sugar sifter, late 19th century, hexagonal in shape

Vintage sarcophagus form tea caddy dome lid, opening to fitted…

Sarcophagus Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior and Silver Lining

Vintage sarcophagus form tea caddy dome lid, opening to fitted interior, with 2 lidded compartments, with remnants of silver lining, on bun feet, height 17 cm, width 20 cm

Georgian style silver plated tea caddy, with lion mask handles…

Georgian Silver Plated Lion Tea Caddy, 12cm

Georgian style silver plated tea caddy, with lion mask handles to sides, 12 cm high

Sterling silver tea caddy hallmarked Birmingham 1911, 74 grams…

Birmingham Hallmarked Sterling Silver Tea Caddy (1911) - 74g

Sterling silver tea caddy hallmarked Birmingham 1911, 74 grams approx, 10 cm high

Tea caddy, bombe shaped, silver plated on copper

Bombshell Tea Caddy: Silver Plated Copper

Tea caddy, bombe shaped, silver plated on copper

Silver plate tea caddy, approx 8 cm high

Small Silver Tea Caddy

Silver plate tea caddy, approx 8 cm high

A silver scallop shell form tea caddy, shell finial. Birmingham…

Silver Scallop Tea Caddy with Shell Finial

A silver scallop shell form tea caddy, shell finial. Birmingham 1970 by A. Marson & Co.

Silver plated tea caddy with engraved cartouche

Engraved Silver Plated Tea Caddy

Silver plated tea caddy with engraved cartouche

Good silver plate tea caddy reeded decoration, marked to base…

Reeded Silver Plate Tea Caddy, Marked #5887

Good silver plate tea caddy reeded decoration, marked to base and # 5887, height 9 cm.

Vintage silver plate tea caddy marked to base EPBM and # 9187/1,…

EPBM Silver Plate Tea Caddy #9187/1 - Vintage

Vintage silver plate tea caddy marked to base EPBM and # 9187/1, height 11 cm.

A late Victorian silver plate tea caddy, rectangular baluster…

Victorian Silver Plate Tea Caddy by Rogers & Slater

A late Victorian silver plate tea caddy, rectangular baluster form embossed with florals and scrolls, flowerhead and leaf sculpted finial, raised on four scrolling legs. Hallmarks for Rogers & Slater

Good Victorian silver plate tea caddy, (height 11 cm).

Victorian Silver Plate Tea Caddy (11cm)

Good Victorian silver plate tea caddy, (height 11 cm).

A silver plate on copper tea caddy, height 12 cm

Silver Plate on Copper Tea Caddy (12 cm)

A silver plate on copper tea caddy, height 12 cm