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...

66 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Victorian tortoise shell tea caddy, sarcophagus shaped 19th…

Victorian tortoise shell tea caddy, sarcophagus shaped 19th century tea caddy with tortoise shell and ivory detailing and acorn finial

A George III silver strung tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa 1800,…

A George III silver strung tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa 1800, of casket profile with a vacant silver cartouche to the lid, twin lids with ivory knops to the interior, with key, 12 cm high, 17 cm wide, 10 cm deep

An antique English tea caddy, tortoiseshell and mother of pearl…

An antique English tea caddy, tortoiseshell and mother of pearl with ivory trim and fittings, 19th century, 12 cm high, 20 cm wide, 13 cm deep

A Georgian tortoiseshell domed tea caddy, circa 1800, finely…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Silver and Ivory Decoration

A Georgian tortoiseshell domed tea caddy, circa 1800, finely decorated with silver stringing and ivory edging and ball feet, with a brass finial and silver escutcheon and vacant cartouche, complete with lids to the two section interior, with key, 16 cm…

19th century. Tortoise shell tea caddy, two sectional…

Antique Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Bone Feet & Key

19th century. Tortoise shell tea caddy, two sectional compartment with lids raised on four carved bone bun feet, and original key (some A/F)

Victorian tortoise shell tea caddy, lovely tortoise shell box…

Victorian Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Key

Victorian tortoise shell tea caddy, lovely tortoise shell box with original internal lead lining and lid with key

A quality George III casket form tortoiseshell tea caddy,…

George III Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Lion Mask Handles

A quality George III casket form tortoiseshell tea caddy, paneled with ivory and white metal trim, gilded captured ring lion mask handles and paw feet. The fitted interior with twin compartments and cut crystal mixing bowl, red velvet lined. 31 x 13.5 x…

Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy silver inlay and decorative…

Georgian Silver Inlaid Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Monogram

Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy silver inlay and decorative finial, with engraved monogram to exterior, twin lids to interior, circa 1770s, height 14 cm.

Tortoise shell tea caddy, 19th century two sectional caddy with…

19th Century Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Ivory Inlay

Tortoise shell tea caddy, 19th century two sectional caddy with carved ivory inlay edges, lid finials and four bun shape feet, height 9.5 cm, length 15 cm, depth 9 cm, some A/F

A George IV mother-of-pearl inlaid tortoiseshell tea caddy,…

George IV Tea Caddy with Floral Marquetry Inlay

A George IV mother-of-pearl inlaid tortoiseshell tea caddy, standing on four ball feet with floral marquetry inlay to the front, opening to a split compartment, the mouth of the box lined with bone, 16 cm high, 18 cm wide, 10 cm deep

Antique tortoiseshell tea caddy antique lidded hexagonal tea…

Antique Tortoiseshell Hexagonal Tea Caddy with Lid and Feet

Antique tortoiseshell tea caddy antique lidded hexagonal tea caddy, with lid opening to lidded lead lined tea compartment, on 4 bun feet, height 11 cm. Damage near the hinge

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

Faux tortoiseshell tea caddy, in the form of a hat box with…

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy Hat Box

Faux tortoiseshell tea caddy, in the form of a hat box with hinged lid set with brass handle, strapping and hinged clasp, height 15 cm

A Regency period tortoise shell tea caddy, with ring side…

Regency Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Glass Mixing Bowl

A Regency period tortoise shell tea caddy, with ring side handles and original feet, glass mixing bowl

An antique Georgian tea caddy, tortoiseshell inlaid with silver,…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Silver Inlaid Tea Caddy

An antique Georgian tea caddy, tortoiseshell inlaid with silver, circa 1800, interior fitted with original zinc compartments with tortoiseshell lids, a fine example. 13 cm high, 19.5 cm wide, 17 cm deep

An English Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy with twin…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Twin Compartments

An English Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy with twin compartments, circa 1810, 13 cm high, 17 cm wide, 11 cm deep

A tortoiseshell tea caddy, with ivory inlay, sarcophagus shaped,…

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Ivory Inlay

A tortoiseshell tea caddy, with ivory inlay, sarcophagus shaped, two section and lidded interior, raised on ball feet. Height 17 cm, minor losses.

A William IV tortoiseshell tea caddy, sarcophagus shaped,…

William IV Tea Caddy with Monogram, 1799

A William IV tortoiseshell tea caddy, sarcophagus shaped, monogrammed Rba 1799, two section and lidded interior, raised on ball feet. Minor losses. Height 18 cm.

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy with floral mother of pearl…

Victorian Tea Caddy with Mother of Pearl Inlay

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy with floral mother of pearl inlay, circa 1850, of serpentine form, standing on ivory bun feet, 13.5 cm high, 20 cm wide, 12.5 cm deep

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy with engraved silver…

Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Engraved Silver Cartouche

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy with engraved silver cartouche to lid, circa 1860, with engraved silver cartouche to the hinged cover and engraved initials Me, 16.5 cm high, 17.5 cm wide, 11.5 cm deep

A George III oak tea caddy, early 19th century, octagonal in…

George III Oak Tea Caddy with Tortoiseshell and Ivory Lids

A George III oak tea caddy, early 19th century, octagonal in form, with a domed lid opening to reveal two compartments with stained tortoiseshell and ivory lids, the interiors with remnant zinc lining, 12.5 cm high, 17 cm wide, 10 cm deep.

A fine Georgian tea caddy, tortoiseshell and ivory with silver…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Silver Plaque

A fine Georgian tea caddy, tortoiseshell and ivory with silver name plaque, early 19th century, fitted with two compartments with tortoiseshell lids, 15 cm high, 20 cm wide 13 cm deep

A tortoiseshell tea caddy with two compartments, height 5.5 cm…

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, Two Compartments, No Key

A tortoiseshell tea caddy with two compartments, height 5.5 cm x 17.5 cm x 11 cm, no key

Early 19th century tortoiseshell caddy, with twin compartments…

19th Century Tortoiseshell Pagoda Caddy

Early 19th century tortoiseshell caddy, with twin compartments and pagoda top, height 16 cm, length 19.5 cm, depth 12.5 cm

Tea canister tortoiseshell and sterling silver mounts, Chester…

Tortoiseshell Tea Canister with Silver Mounts

Tea canister tortoiseshell and sterling silver mounts, Chester 1894, hallmarked Cs and Fs for, Cornelius Saunders and Francis Shephard, height 9 cm

A fine Regency mother of pearl and tortoiseshell tea caddy, the…

Regency Mother of Pearl & Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

A fine Regency mother of pearl and tortoiseshell tea caddy, the sarcophagus shaped body with canted corners fully veneered with mother of pearl and tortoiseshell in a lozenge design. The interior containing two partly veneered tortoiseshell tea cannisters…

A rare tortoiseshell twin division tea caddy. 15 cm high, 21 cm…

Rare Tortoiseshell Twin Division Tea Caddy

A rare tortoiseshell twin division tea caddy. 15 cm high, 21 cm wide, 12 cm deep.

An early 19th century tortoiseshell teacaddy, of plain design…

Tortoiseshell Teacaddy with Silver Stringing and Gilt Brass Feet

An early 19th century tortoiseshell teacaddy, of plain design with silver stringing and gilt brass ball feet, the interior fitted in rosewood and tortoiseshell with two lidded compartments and a glass mixing bowl. English circa 1820. 12 x 25 x 15 cm

A George III tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy 12 cm high, 25 cm…

George III Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

A George III tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy 12 cm high, 25 cm wide, 11 cm deep

An antique French tea caddy in boulle style marquetry, 19th…

19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy

An antique French tea caddy in boulle style marquetry, 19th century, in mahogany, faux tortoiseshell finish with intricate brass inlay. Double well tea caddy inside, coated interior, lids with delicate ivory handles (faults). Some losses, key is missing.…

Rare French Boulle inlaid tea caddy with faux tortoiseshell…

French Boulle Inlaid Tea Caddy with Baccarat Crystal Bowl

Rare French Boulle inlaid tea caddy with faux tortoiseshell finish inlaid with brass. Baccarat crystal bowl and original fittings. Ex: Aronson Antiques.

A Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy with ivory handle & mother…

Georgian Tea Caddy with Ivory Handle & Mother of Pearl

A Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy with ivory handle & mother of pearl keyhole, octagon in shape with internal lid & metal lined, handle has come away from top, height 18 cm

Two Regency tortoiseshell tea caddies, early 19th century, each…

Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Caddies with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Two Regency tortoiseshell tea caddies, early 19th century, each enclosing two covers. One inlaid with mother of pearl, the other of sarcophagus form, the largest 15 cm high, 20.5 cm wide, 13 cm deep.

A tea caddy and an etui, early 19th century, both in…

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy and Etui

A tea caddy and an etui, early 19th century, both in tortoiseshell, the caddy with a hinged top enclosing two covers (the etui missing implements), tea caddy 13 cm high 16 cm wide, 10.5 cm deep.

Two tortoiseshell tea caddies, early 19th century, one of…

Pair of Tortoiseshell Tea Caddies with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Two tortoiseshell tea caddies, early 19th century, one of sarcophagus form, the hinged top enclosing two covers, the other of square form with cantered corners the hinged top enclosing a single cover, both inlaid with mother of pearl, 15 cm high, 19 cm…

A Georgian tea caddy, tortoiseshell, mother of pearl & ivory,…

Georgian Tea Caddy with Tortoiseshell and Mother of Pearl

A Georgian tea caddy, tortoiseshell, mother of pearl & ivory, circa 1820.

A good early Victorian tortoiseshell casket form tea caddy,…

Early Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

A good early Victorian tortoiseshell casket form tea caddy, serpentine front, the hinged lid with single interior lid covering the double compartments, ivory trim and finial, the conforming flared apron base supported on four tortoiseshell compressed bun…

Faux tortoiseshell tea caddy, in the form of a hat box with…

Tortoiseshell Hat Box Tea Caddy

Faux tortoiseshell tea caddy, in the form of a hat box with hinged lid set with a brass handle, strapping and hinged clasp, height 14.5 cm.

A good Regency tortoiseshell tea caddy, rectangular form with…

Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Ivory Trim

A good Regency tortoiseshell tea caddy, rectangular form with hinged panelled lid, ivory trim, two tortoiseshell covered interior lids, raised on compressed circular bone feet. 18.5 cm x 10 cm x 12 cm

A tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy, English early 19th century,…

19th Century Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

A tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy, English early 19th century, hinged lid opening to reveal two tea compartments, 17 cm high, 17 cm wide, 9 cm deep

A small George III ivory mounted tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa…

George III Ivory & Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, 1810

A small George III ivory mounted tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa 1810 9 cm high, 9.5 cm wide, 6 cm deep

Large antique Georgian pagoda topped tortoiseshell tea caddy,…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Pagoda Tea Caddy

Large antique Georgian pagoda topped tortoiseshell tea caddy, approx 12 cm high, 14 cm long, 9 cm deep

Antique Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy, approx 9 cm x 10 cm x…

Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy - Antique

Antique Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy, approx 9 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm

Georgian tea caddy, with ivory panels, tortoiseshell stringing,…

Georgian Tea Caddy with Ivory and Inlay

Georgian tea caddy, with ivory panels, tortoiseshell stringing, inlaid mother of pearl & gold and handpainted cameo lozenge, 12 cm high, 15 cm wide approx. (losses).

Antique French ebonized tea caddy, decorated with tortoise…

French Ebonized Tea Caddy with Tortoise Shell & Brass Decorations

Antique French ebonized tea caddy, decorated with tortoise shell & brass banding

A Regency tortoiseshell tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with…

Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Ivory Trim

A Regency tortoiseshell tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with radiating pattern to the lid and front, canted corners, ivory trim and handles to the two interior lids, raised on bun feet. Minor attention required. 17.5 cm x 9.6 cm x 13.5 cm

Tortoise shell tea caddy with two internal compartments with an…

Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Engraved Panel

Tortoise shell tea caddy with two internal compartments with an engraved panel to top, on four bun feet. Condition good, minor cracks, loss to one snall panel on the underside. Dimensions 16 x 9 x 13 cm

Superb antique tortoise shell and ivory tea caddy, fitted with…

Antique Tortoise Shell and Ivory Tea Caddy

Superb antique tortoise shell and ivory tea caddy, fitted with two sections, silver string inlay, engraved medallion to the top, all standing on ball feet, approx 16 cm high, 19.5 cm long, 12 cm depth

A Georgian tea caddy, tortoise shell & silver with ivory…

Georgian Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy with Silver & Ivory Trim

A Georgian tea caddy, tortoise shell & silver with ivory internal trim & knobs, early 19th century. 13 cm high, 17.5 cm wide, 10 cm deep

A Regency tortoiseshell, ivory silver strung tea caddy, circa…

Regency Tea Caddy with Ivory and Silver Strung Design

A Regency tortoiseshell, ivory silver strung tea caddy, circa 1810 the domed faceted top with blonde tortoiseshell cross banding, centred by a silver tablet, opening to reveal two lidded compartments, with ivory spacings between the lid and eight sided…

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy, serpentine sides, shallow…

Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, Serpentine Sides

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy, serpentine sides, shallow domed cover. Width 12 cm

A Victorian tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy rectangular with…

Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Silver Inlay

A Victorian tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy rectangular with rounded edges, silver inlay stringing and vacant cartouche to lid, the interior with tortoise shell veneered lids, all raised on brass ball feet, (losses), 16.5 cm wide

A Japanese tortoiseshell veneered and lacquered tea caddy…

Japanese Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Maki Bird Motif

A Japanese tortoiseshell veneered and lacquered tea caddy rectangular with rounded edges and a raised maki bird motif to lid, internally with twin tortoiseshell veneer and lacquered lids, 21 cm wide

A Victorian tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy. rectangular with…

Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Silver Inlay

A Victorian tortoiseshell veneered tea caddy. rectangular with rounded edges, silver inlay stringing and vacant cartouche to lid, the interior with tortoise shell veneered lids banded in ivory, 20 cm wide

A 19th century tortoiseshell and ivory tea caddy the body of…

Tortoiseshell and Ivory Tea Caddy with Ivory Feet

A 19th century tortoiseshell and ivory tea caddy the body of tortoiseshell with interior ivory and tortoiseshell fittings, above four ivory feet, 19 x 15 x 12 cm

A 19th century English brown tortoiseshell and bone mounted tea…

English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Bone and Brass Accents

A 19th century English brown tortoiseshell and bone mounted tea caddy the hinged lid and lower body with an ebony patterned bone border, above four brass ball feet, (corner decorations lacking), 16.5 x 13 x 11.5 cm

A 19th century tortoiseshell and bone mounted tea caddy, loss…

Tortoiseshell and Bone Tea Caddy with Inlay Damage

A 19th century tortoiseshell and bone mounted tea caddy, loss to a section of bone string inlay, 16.5 x 13 x 11.5 cm.

An early Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa 1830s/40s, of…

Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Brass Accents

An early Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa 1830s/40s, of sarcophagus form with a plain white metal cartouche to the lid and a conforming escutcheon, with tortoiseshell veneer throughout with metal stringing, the interior containing lidded…

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy with mother of pearl inlay…

Victorian Tea Caddy with Mother of Pearl Inlay

A Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy with mother of pearl inlay mid 19th century with twin lidded compartments, some wear and restoration to edges, 19.5 cm wide

A sterling silver and tortoiseshell tea caddy, 1894 Chester,…

Sterling Silver and Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, 1894 Chester

A sterling silver and tortoiseshell tea caddy, 1894 Chester, with maker's marks for Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings (Frank) shepherd, an oval straight sided caddy of tortoiseshell with a silver mount having a simple ribbed design to…

Antique early 19th century tortoiseshell tea caddy, approx 17…

Early 19th Century Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Antique early 19th century tortoiseshell tea caddy, approx 17 cm high, 29.5 cm wide, 14 cm depth

A good George III tortoiseshell bowfront tea caddy, the flared…

George III Tortoiseshell Bowfront Tea Caddy with Chinoiserie Inlay

A good George III tortoiseshell bowfront tea caddy, the flared pagoda form top with a small silver name plate engraved 'Sanderson', the front finely inlaid with mother-of-pearl chinoiserie decoration of florals and stylised building, plain three-quarter…

Tortoiseshell tea caddy

Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Tortoiseshell tea caddy

A good early Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy, rectangular…

Early Victorian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Copper Feet

A good early Victorian tortoiseshell tea caddy, rectangular form, the mildly domed lid of hexagonal section, plain un-engraved rectangular top plaque and escutcheon, opening to reveal an ivory lined edge interior and two tortoiseshell covered compartments…

Fine antique tortoise shell and ivory two section tea caddy,…

Antique Tortoise Shell and Ivory Tea Caddy

Fine antique tortoise shell and ivory two section tea caddy, standing on ball feet, 16 cm wide, 15 cm high

Fine antique English blonde tortoise shell and ivory tea caddy,…

Antique Tortoise Shell and Ivory Tea Caddy

Fine antique English blonde tortoise shell and ivory tea caddy, fitted with a two compartment interior, approx 13 cm high, 22 cm wide, 13 cm deep