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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Antique mahogany tea-caddy with key, approx 14 cm high

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Key, Antique, 14cm High

Antique mahogany tea-caddy with key, approx 14 cm high

19th century tea caddy, in mahogany, of tapering facetted form,…

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Ivory Handles and Spherical Feet

19th century tea caddy, in mahogany, of tapering facetted form, opening to three compartments with ivory handles, the whole on four spherical feet, 14 cm x 23 cm

George III mahogany & inlaid tea caddy, with inlaid oval shell…

George III Inlaid Tea Caddy with Shell Paterae

George III mahogany & inlaid tea caddy, with inlaid oval shell paterae to the top and similar floral inlay to the front (hinge broken off)

Regency mahogany tea caddy rectangular form, with satinwood…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Satinwood Cross Banding

Regency mahogany tea caddy rectangular form, with satinwood cross banding

Antique mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus shaped

Mahogany Sarcophagus Tea Caddy

Antique mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus shaped

Antique mahogany tea-caddy, no bowl, approx 16 cm high

Antique Mahogany Tea-Caddy - 16cm High (No Bowl)

Antique mahogany tea-caddy, no bowl, approx 16 cm high

A Victorian mahogany tea caddy, two lidded compacts, and…

Victorian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Lidded Compacts

A Victorian mahogany tea caddy, two lidded compacts, and central well with a handle to each side 14 x 31 x 17 cm

Regency mahogany stationery box, adapted from a tea caddy…

Regency Mahogany Stationery Box with Swing Handle

Regency mahogany stationery box, adapted from a tea caddy oblong shape with small swing handle to the lid, 29.5 cm width

Antique mahogany tea caddy, with sarcophagus shape with three…

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Brass Handles

Antique mahogany tea caddy, with sarcophagus shape with three section interior and brass side handles, width 94 cm x depth 16 cm x height 17 cm

Early small mahogany tea caddy with pair lidded internal…

Early small mahogany tea caddy with pair lidded internal sections, on 4 bun feet, height 10 cm; width 20 cm.

A Regency mahogany tea caddy, sarcpophagus form, the hinged lid…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Lid and Compartments

A Regency mahogany tea caddy, sarcpophagus form, the hinged lid enclosing two original lidded compartments.

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy, early 19th century, the simple…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Glass Mixing Bowl

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy, early 19th century, the simple rectangular box with a single tea compartment with remnant tin lining and a scallop rimmed glass mixing bowl. Height 14 cm. Width 24 cm. Depth 13 cm

A George III mahogany tea caddy 30 x 16 x 16 cm

George III Mahogany Tea Caddy

A George III mahogany tea caddy 30 x 16 x 16 cm

A Regency flame mahogany small cube form tea caddy, plain form,…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Gilt Escutcheon

A Regency flame mahogany small cube form tea caddy, plain form, singular section interior, oval floral embossed gilt metal escutcheon, good dark colour and patina. 12.5 cm x 9.5 cm x 11.2 cm

Victorian sarcophagus tea caddy in mahogany with brass fittings,…

Victorian Mahogany Sarcophagus Tea Caddy with Brass Fittings

Victorian sarcophagus tea caddy in mahogany with brass fittings, tapering shape to the lid. Height 14 cm. Width 30 cm. Depth 18 cm

Georgian mahogany tea caddy. Coffin form caddy with two…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Two Compartments

Georgian mahogany tea caddy. Coffin form caddy with two internal compartments, raised on four low bun feet. Replaced bone escutcheon, height 14 cm length 22.5 cm depth 13 cm

A mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy 15 cm x 19 cm x 12 cm

Mahogany Tea Caddy Sarcophagus

A mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy 15 cm x 19 cm x 12 cm

Georgian mahogany tea caddy

Mahogany Georgian Tea Caddy

Georgian mahogany tea caddy

Regency mahogany tea caddy/stationery box, sarcophagus form…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy/Stationery Box on Ball Feet

Regency mahogany tea caddy/stationery box, sarcophagus form with boxwood stringing on ball feet adapted from a tea caddy to a stationery box, 30 cm width

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, 19 cm height

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy - 19cm

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, 19 cm height

Georgian mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy, 30 cm wide, 15 cm high

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy in Sarcophagus Shape

Georgian mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy, 30 cm wide, 15 cm high

A George III flame mahogany tea caddy, the fitted interior with…

A George III flame mahogany tea caddy, the fitted interior with twin compartments, mixing bowl absent. Length 30.5 cm.

An early 19th century sarcophagus tea caddy in mahogany with…

Mahogany Sarcophagus Tea Caddy with Gilt Claw Feet

An early 19th century sarcophagus tea caddy in mahogany with satinwood stringing and inlaid escutcheon, raised on gilt metal claw feet; the interior divided into three compartments, lids absent, some faults. 28 x 14 x 16 cm

An English mahogany tea caddy, early 19th century, 16 cm high,…

Early 19th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

An English mahogany tea caddy, early 19th century, 16 cm high, 32 cm wide, 16 cm deep

A Regency mahogany tea caddy with satinwood stringing, oblong,…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Satinwood Stringing

A Regency mahogany tea caddy with satinwood stringing, oblong, the interior with two compartments flanking a well for bowl. 29 cm x 14.5 cm x 14.5 cm

A Victorian mahogany tea caddy 19 x 37 x 20 cm

Victorian Mahogany Tea Caddy

A Victorian mahogany tea caddy 19 x 37 x 20 cm

Small tea caddy with key, mahogany inlaid

Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy with Key

Small tea caddy with key, mahogany inlaid

Georgian mahogany sarcophagus shaped tea caddy on bun feet, no…

Mahogany Sarcophagus Tea Caddy on Bun Feet

Georgian mahogany sarcophagus shaped tea caddy on bun feet, no mixing bowl

Sarcophagus shaped tea caddy in mahogany

Mahogany Sarcophagus Tea Caddy

Sarcophagus shaped tea caddy in mahogany

A Georgian mahogany tea chest, early 19th century, the…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Chest with Glass Bowl

A Georgian mahogany tea chest, early 19th century, the rectangular chest with boxwood edging having a simple mother-of-pearl lozenge escutcheon, the interior with two lidded tea caddies with remnant zinc lining and centred with a cut glass mixing bowl,…

A Regency mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy, with ring side…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Mixing Bowl Cavity

A Regency mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy, with ring side handles (one faulted), squat bun feet, two compartments to the interior flanking a cavity for a mixing bowl. 31 x 16 x 20 cm.

A near pair of early 19th century mahogany tea caddies, oblong…

Pair of 19th Century Mahogany Tea Caddies

A near pair of early 19th century mahogany tea caddies, oblong with slightly domed hinged lids, one with undivided interior, the other with three compartments and a well concealed secret drawer to the base. Slight losses. 20.5 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm

A Regency flame mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus form, captured…

Regency Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy with Inlay and Label

A Regency flame mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus form, captured ring side handles, M-'o-P inlay and escutcheon, the interior with twin compartments and maker's/retailer's label. Small veneer flaw.

William IV honey mahogany & ebony tea caddy twin lids with bowl…

William IV Tea Caddy with Fruit Handles, c1835

William IV honey mahogany & ebony tea caddy twin lids with bowl space, brass paw feet and basket of fruit handles, c1835

A Victorian mahogany & bone tea caddy, circular in shape with…

Victorian Bone and Mahogany Tea Caddy

A Victorian mahogany & bone tea caddy, circular in shape with band & beads of bone, carved bone to top, break to finial & to some bone pieces, height 15 cm, diameter 13 cm

A Regency mahogany tea caddy

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy

A Regency mahogany tea caddy

A George III string inlaid mahogany tea caddy

Mahogany tea caddy with string inlay

A George III string inlaid mahogany tea caddy

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy box 19th century, height 13 cm

19th Century Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy Box

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy box 19th century, height 13 cm

Regency satinwood tea caddy rectangular shape bound in mahogany…

Rectangular Satinwood Tea Caddy with Mahogany Binding

Regency satinwood tea caddy rectangular shape bound in mahogany with herringbone stringing, no division relined interior 23.5 cm length

Antique mahogany tea-caddy, with boxes and mixing bowl, approx…

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Boxes and Mixing Bowl

Antique mahogany tea-caddy, with boxes and mixing bowl, approx 22 cm high

Early 19th century English mahogany tea caddy A/F, of exquisite…

Early 19th century English mahogany tea caddy A/F, of exquisite construction, containing two divisions for green and black tea, the two containers having a cedar body, set into cedar frame, and hand made 'Piano' hinges, bracketing a non-original cobalt…

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy with hinged lid, hand painted…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Hand-Painted Courtesan Cameo

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy with hinged lid, hand painted with cameo of courtesan, decorated with panels of ribbons. 10.5 cm high, 8.5 cm wide, 9.5 cm deep.

A William IV mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus form, the interior…

William IV Mahogany Tea Caddy with Lion Face Handles

A William IV mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus form, the interior with three compartments, one ivory knob remaining, captured ring side handles with lion face back plate, on four bun feet. (Small repair to lid). 36 cm x 21 cm x 19 cm

A mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy (20 cm x 31 cm x 16 cm

Mahogany Sarcophagus Tea Caddy

A mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy (20 cm x 31 cm x 16 cm

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, with brass fittings, width 22 cm,…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Brass Fittings

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, with brass fittings, width 22 cm, diameter 13 cm approx

Georgian mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy with two interior…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Glass Bowl

Georgian mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy with two interior lidded containers and a cut glass bowl. One foot is loose and some damage to one corner. Dimensions 33 x 18 x 16 cm

Regency mahogany tea caddy twin lidded interior, on 4 ivory…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Twin Lids and Ivory Feet

Regency mahogany tea caddy twin lidded interior, on 4 ivory ball feet, circa 1825, length 24 cm.

A Victorian mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy with egg and dart…

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Egg and Dart Moulding

A Victorian mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy with egg and dart moulding. Width 23 cm

A 19th century mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy, the body and…

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Mother of Pearl Inlay

A 19th century mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy, the body and hinged lid with mother of pearl and brass-line inlay. The fitted interior is lined with red velvet, on bun feet. 19 x 33 x 15 cm.

A Georgian mahogany dome top tea caddy on bracket feet, no key

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy on Bracket Feet (No Key)

A Georgian mahogany dome top tea caddy on bracket feet, no key

Tea caddy, carved mahogany of Georgian sarcophagus form with…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Dual Compartments

Tea caddy, carved mahogany of Georgian sarcophagus form with two lidded compartments

Small flame mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy Victorian in age and…

Victorian Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy with Lion Handles

Small flame mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy Victorian in age and featuring gilt lion ring handles and a tapering lid, sitting on bun feet and having an ivory lock. The inside fitted with two compartments with lids, 17 cm x 18 cm x 13 cm

Victorian mahogany & inlaid tea caddy in rectangular form with…

Victorian Inlaid Tea Caddy with Glass Bowl

Victorian mahogany & inlaid tea caddy in rectangular form with a removable insert & a cut glass tea bowl. The lid on the left compartment has come away from the hinge. Dimensions 30 x 15 x 14 cm

Regency mahogany tea caddy three section interior, all…

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Marquetry Panels

Regency mahogany tea caddy three section interior, all parquetry banded with marquetry panels

19th century mahogany inlaid tea caddy on bun feet

Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy on Bun Feet

19th century mahogany inlaid tea caddy on bun feet

Victorian mahogany tea caddy with satinwood inlay

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Satinwood Inlay

Victorian mahogany tea caddy with satinwood inlay

George III mahogany tea caddy, plain oblong form with brass…

George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Brass Handle

George III mahogany tea caddy, plain oblong form with brass handle and 3 division interior

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus shape, with two lidded…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy, Sarcophagus Shape

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, sarcophagus shape, with two lidded compartments, 22.5 wide, 13 cm high

A Regency period mahogany tea caddy, with fitted interior

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior

A Regency period mahogany tea caddy, with fitted interior

George III mahogany tea caddy rectangular shape, the interior…

George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Bristol Blue Glass Bowl

George III mahogany tea caddy rectangular shape, the interior with 2 lidded compartments and central Bristol blue glass mixing bowl, 29 cm width

Mid Georgian mahogany and oak tea caddy with loop handle to lid,…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Loop Handle

Mid Georgian mahogany and oak tea caddy with loop handle to lid, 23 cm wide, 13 cm deep, 12.5 cm high

19th century Georgian style mahogany tea caddy. Sarcophagus…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Lion Handles

19th century Georgian style mahogany tea caddy. Sarcophagus form, with lions head ring handles and mother of pearl escutcheon; with two internal compartments. Lids available but detached; mixing bowl replacement. Height 17 cm, length 31 cm

A Georgian tea caddy, mahogany and walnut with whalebone…

Georgian Tea Caddy with Whalebone Accents

A Georgian tea caddy, mahogany and walnut with whalebone escutcheon and knobs, early 19th century, 15 cm high, 26 cm wide, 17 cm deep

A Georgian mahogany sarcophagus shaped tea caddy

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy

A Georgian mahogany sarcophagus shaped tea caddy

A Regency mahogany tea caddy, the interior fitted with two…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Glass Mixing Bowl

A Regency mahogany tea caddy, the interior fitted with two lidded canisters flanking a glass mixing bowl. 31 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm

Mahogany Georgian tea caddy with brass handles

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Brass Handles

Mahogany Georgian tea caddy with brass handles

A George III flame mahogany tea caddy/box, rectangular form,…

George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Swing Handle

A George III flame mahogany tea caddy/box, rectangular form, the lid with a concave top edge, decorative stringing, swing handle to the hinged lid enclosing a three section interior. 24 cm x 13 cm x 14 cm.

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy with Mixing jar early 19th…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Mixing Jar and Canisters

A Georgian mahogany tea caddy with Mixing jar early 19th century, with two tea canisters and early glass mixing jar. Height 16 cm. Width 30 cm. Depth 16 cm Australiana

Georgian inlaid mahogany cube tea caddy with original axe…

Mahogany Cube Tea Caddy with Inlaid Design and Axe Handle

Georgian inlaid mahogany cube tea caddy with original axe handle to lid

A Georgian mahogany box, early 19th century, the restored tea…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy Box

A Georgian mahogany box, early 19th century, the restored tea caddy of pleasingly plain design with simple boxwood stringing, ebonised edges and an arrow head escutcheon, fabric lined, height 11 cm, length 20.5 cm, width 10.5 cm

An antique tea caddy, mahogany and brass bun feet and…

19th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy with Brass Accents

An antique tea caddy, mahogany and brass bun feet and escutcheon, 19th century, 11.5 cm high, 20 cm wide, 11.5 cm deep

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, of casket form, with a facetted…

Georgian Mahogany Tea Caddy/Sewing Box

Georgian mahogany tea caddy, of casket form, with a facetted hinged cover on a tapered casket set with drop ring handles, on brass clawed feet,fitted as a sewing box, height 22.5, width 35.5, depth 18 cm, a/f.

A mahogany sarcophagus shaped tea caddy, 19th century, the…

A mahogany sarcophagus shaped tea caddy, 19th century, the flame mahogany sarcophagus shaped tea cady or chest, with a flat base, brass escutcheon, the fitted interior with hinged caddies. Height 32 cm, length 44 cm, width 28 cm

Regency mahogany and inlaid tea caddy rectangular casket shape…

Regency Inlaid Mahogany Tea Caddy with Glass Bowl

Regency mahogany and inlaid tea caddy rectangular casket shape on brass ball feet, interior with two lidded compartments and central glass mixing bowl

A mahogany tea caddy, 19th century, of plain rectangular form…

19th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy with Twin Canisters and Glass Bowl

A mahogany tea caddy, 19th century, of plain rectangular form with a brass escutcheon and fitted with twin hinged canisters with remnant tin lining, and an etched glass bowl, the box 14 cm high, 30.5 cm long, 16 cm deep

A George IV mahogany and satinwood tea caddy, with a bone…

George IV Tea Caddy with Satinwood and Bone Accents

A George IV mahogany and satinwood tea caddy, with a bone escutcheon and interior handles, 14.5 cm high, 30 cm wide, 14.5 cm deep

Regency mahogany 3 section tea caddy with boxwood inlay and…

Regency Tea Caddy with Boxwood Inlay and Ivory Knobs

Regency mahogany 3 section tea caddy with boxwood inlay and interior ivory knobs, 28.5 cm wide, 15 cm deep, 16 cm high

A Regency mahogany tea caddy, plain rectangular form with ebony…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Ebony Inlay and Fitted Interior

A Regency mahogany tea caddy, plain rectangular form with ebony strung borders, minor losses, gilded brass captured ring handles and ball feet, original fitted interior with twin compartments and a glass mixing bowl.

Large mahogany tea caddy with stringing, lion's head handle

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Lion Handle and Stringing

Large mahogany tea caddy with stringing, lion's head handle

Three English tea caddies, 19th century comprising two box form…

English Tea Caddy Trio - 19th Century

Three English tea caddies, 19th century comprising two box form satinwood strung mahogany caddies and a rosewood sarcophagus form tea caddy the largest 12 cm high, 18 cm wide, 10.5 cm deep

George III inlaid mahogany tea caddy with 2 internal lidded…

George III Tea Caddy with Inlay and Provenance

George III inlaid mahogany tea caddy with 2 internal lidded canisters and glass bowl, 31 cm x 15 cm, 15 cm high, comes with a 1936 receipt from Fred Naylor's antique furniture Coy, 40 market Street Sydney Stanley Lipscombe's first employer

An English tea caddy, flame mahogany with original fitted…

Flame Mahogany English Tea Caddy, Circa 1830

An English tea caddy, flame mahogany with original fitted interior, circa 1830, 20 cm high, 35 cm wide, 18.5 cm deep

A Georgian tea caddy, mahogany and oak with string inlay, 18th…

18th Century Georgian Tea Caddy with Inlay

A Georgian tea caddy, mahogany and oak with string inlay, 18th century, interior has been removed, a??15 cm high, 26 cm wide, 15 cm deep

Georgian tea caddy, flame mahogany twin reservoir internally…

Georgian Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy with Velvet Lining

Georgian tea caddy, flame mahogany twin reservoir internally lined with velvet to lid and boxwood circular detaching at centre insert replaced not matching

George III chequer strung mahogany tea caddy with 3 division…

George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Swan Handle

George III chequer strung mahogany tea caddy with 3 division interior, and original swan handle to lid, circa 1770s, length 23 cm; height 14 cm excluding handle.

Regency flame mahogany tea caddy inlaid and strung with various…

Regency Flame Mahogany Tea Caddy with Inlay and Ivory Accents

Regency flame mahogany tea caddy inlaid and strung with various woods, ivory key escutcheon, lion ring handles, matching twin interior compartments, with ivory knobs, circa 1820, length 25 cm; height 16 cm

GIII mahogany octagonal tea caddy with octagonal brass handle…

Mahogany Tea Caddy with Brass Handle, c1790

GIII mahogany octagonal tea caddy with octagonal brass handle and ebony trim, c1790

A Regency mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy on bun feet; fitted…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior

A Regency mahogany sarcophagus tea caddy on bun feet; fitted interior. Width 20 cm

Victorian mahogany tea caddy with two canisters and glass…

Victorian Mahogany Tea Caddy with Canisters and Glass Bowl

Victorian mahogany tea caddy with two canisters and glass mixing bowl

Victorian mahogany inlaid tea caddy, of sarcophagus form,…

Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior

Victorian mahogany inlaid tea caddy, of sarcophagus form, opening to fitted interior with two lidded side compartments and open circular interior with crystal mixing bowl, height 15 cm, width 31 cm, depth 16 cm

Victorian mahogany tea caddy

Mahogany Victorian Tea Caddy

Victorian mahogany tea caddy

A Regency mahogany two division tea caddy with mixing bowl. 20…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Mixing Bowl

A Regency mahogany two division tea caddy with mixing bowl. 20 cm high, 30 cm wide, 15 cm deep.

A Regency mahogany tea caddy. 15 cm high, 28 cm long

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy - Elegant Storage Solution

A Regency mahogany tea caddy. 15 cm high, 28 cm long

A Regency mahogany, walnut and fruitwood tea caddy, sarcophagus…

Regency Tea Caddy with Diamond Escutcheon

A Regency mahogany, walnut and fruitwood tea caddy, sarcophagus form with diamond-lozenge escutcheon; fitted interior. Width 27 cm

A George III mahogany tea caddy, the domed rising top with…

George III Mahogany Tea Caddy with Zinc Canisters

A George III mahogany tea caddy, the domed rising top with brass handle opening to reveal two zinc canisters. Height 15 cm, width 26 cm, depth 14.5 cm. Provenance: Contents of Swanton, Sutton Forest