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 George III rosewood tea caddy, early 19th century, of plain…

George III Rosewood Tea Caddy with Boxwood Stringing

A George III rosewood tea caddy, early 19th century, of plain double-cube form with a hinged top, with boxwood stringing to all edges, 15 cm high, 30 cm wide, 15 cm deep,

Regency rosewood and silver tea caddy rosewood with silver…

Regency Rosewood & Silver Tea Caddy with Interior Compartments

Regency rosewood and silver tea caddy rosewood with silver borders and corners, with 2 interior lidded compartments, circa 1820, length 21 cm, height 10 cm

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, with twin lidded…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Glass Mixing Bowl

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, with twin lidded interior and central glass mixing bowl

Rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus probably late Georgian and in a…

Georgian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Crystal Bowl

Rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus probably late Georgian and in a rosewood veneer with a curved top and a hinged lid revealing two compartmental mixing sections and a centralised cut crystal bowl, height 20 cm, width 32 cm, depth 17 cm

19th century rosewood tea caddy with brass inlay

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Inlay

19th century rosewood tea caddy with brass inlay

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

Fine timber tea caddy with Oriental Flourishes made with…

Oriental Rosewood Tea Caddy with Fitted Compartments

Fine timber tea caddy with Oriental Flourishes made with rosewood veneer and the inside fitted nicely with two lidded compartmental sections and lidded box, size 22 cm x 30 cm x 15.5 cm

A Georgian rosewood tea caddy box c.1820 - 1830

Georgian Rosewood Tea Caddy, c.1820-1830

A Georgian rosewood tea caddy box c.1820 - 1830

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

William IV tea caddy early 19th century, rosewood, sarcophagus…

William IV Rosewood Tea Caddy

William IV tea caddy early 19th century, rosewood, sarcophagus shape, with brass plaque and matching rosewood handles and, fitted interior, height 18.5 cm, length 36 cm, depth 18 cm

A Regency rosewood tea caddy. 18 cm high, 30 cm wide, 16 cm…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy - Elegant Storage Solution

A Regency rosewood tea caddy. 18 cm high, 30 cm wide, 16 cm deep.

19th century sarcophagus shaped rosewood tea caddy with string…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Inlay and Three Compartments

19th century sarcophagus shaped rosewood tea caddy with string inlay and three lidded compartments to the interior measures 30 cm high, 15.5 cm wide, af

Victorian rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus shaped, on ebonised…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Twin Compartments, 1840

Victorian rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus shaped, on ebonised ball feet, twin lidded compartments to interior, circa 1840, height 18 cm.

An exceptional Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, the…

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Tea Caddy with Inlaid Brass and Crystal

An exceptional Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, the exterior with gilt cut brass, mop and abalone decorative inlays, enclosing two original conforming compartments flanking the cut crystal footed mixing bowl, captured ring side handles and…

Tunbridge ware tea caddy 19th century, rosewood & fruitwood,…

19th Century Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy

Tunbridge ware tea caddy 19th century, rosewood & fruitwood, inlaid decoration, height 14, width 24 cm

Regency rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus top, with fitted…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Crystal Glass and Fitted Interior

Regency rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus top, with fitted interior, wooden handles and crystal glass, height 21 cm, length 34 cm, depth 16.5 cm

Victorian brass-bound rosewood tea caddy box, height 12  cm,…

Victorian Brass-Bound Rosewood Tea Caddy Box

Victorian brass-bound rosewood tea caddy box, height 12 cm, width 15.5 cm

Regency rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus shape, (lacks interior…

Rosewood Tea Caddy and Walnut Stationery Stand

Regency rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus shape, (lacks interior fittings and escutcheon), together with a burr walnut stationery stand with gilt metal embellishments.

Regency rosewood and brass tea caddy sarcophagus shape with…

Ornate Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Inlays

Regency rosewood and brass tea caddy sarcophagus shape with ornate brass floral and scroll inlays, 25 cm width.

Regency rosewood and brass inlaid tea caddy oblong shape, the…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Inlay and Handles

Regency rosewood and brass inlaid tea caddy oblong shape, the hinged lid revealing an interior with 2 lidded compartments and central well, with ornate brass handles and ball feet, 31 cm width

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy the interior with 2…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Glass Mixing Bowl

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy the interior with 2 lidded compartments and central glass mixing bowl, 31 cm width

A Regency brass inlaid rosewood tea caddy, circa 1830, the…

Brass Inlaid Rosewood Tea Caddy with Glass Bowl

A Regency brass inlaid rosewood tea caddy, circa 1830, the interior fitted with a central heavy molded glass blending bowl and two tea boxes with rosewood lids, 15 cm high, 30.5 cm wide, 16.5 cm deep

An George III rosewood ring handle tea caddy, circa 1820-1830,…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Starburst Inlay

An George III rosewood ring handle tea caddy, circa 1820-1830, of rectangular form, inlaid with a brass starburst to the lid, the fitted interior with two rosewood zinc lined tea caddies flanking the original star burst cut blending bowl, 15 cm high, 31…

An antique English rosewood tea caddy with bone escutcheon,…

English Rosewood Tea Caddy with Bone Escutcheon (9 words)

An antique English rosewood tea caddy with bone escutcheon, early 19th century, 11.5 cm high, 19.5 cm wide, 11.5 cm deep

Large GIV/WIV rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with twin…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Twin Canisters and Bowl, c1835

Large GIV/WIV rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with twin canisters and bowl, on flat bun feet with turned carrying handles, c1835

A Victorian bird's eye maple box, 9th century, with key, the…

Victorian Bird's Eye Maple Tea Caddy Box with Key

A Victorian bird's eye maple box, 9th century, with key, the light honey toned box with an aged patina, formerly a tea caddy, with rosewood edges and a simple round mother-of-pearl escutcheon, well restored with black moire taffeta lining, height 10.5 cm,…

William IV / early Victorian rosewood tea caddy, inlaid with…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother of Pearl Inlay, c1840

William IV / early Victorian rosewood tea caddy, inlaid with mother of pearl, twin lidded interior with ebony knobs, c1840

Georgian satinwood tea caddy, cross banded in rosewood,…

Satinwood Tea Caddy with Rosewood Banding and Lion Feet

Georgian satinwood tea caddy, cross banded in rosewood, supported on ormolu lion paw feet (no interior)

Victorian Tunbridge inlaid rosewood tea caddy castle scene…

Victorian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Castle Inlay

Victorian Tunbridge inlaid rosewood tea caddy castle scene decoration to floral band and satinwood lid, twin fitted interior, circa 1850, length 22 cm; height 12 cm

Regency Brazilian rosewood tea caddy brass inlid, with matching…

Brazilian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Matching Canisters and Bowl

Regency Brazilian rosewood tea caddy brass inlid, with matching canisters to interior, and Bristol blue glass mixing bowl, lion head mask handles, length 30 cm; height 16 cm

William IV rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, traditional form,…

William IV Rosewood Tea Caddy with Glass Bowl

William IV rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, traditional form, two handled (one chipped), interior with 2 lidded compartments and glass mixing bowl on bun feet, 31 cm wide

Good Victorian brass inlaid rosewood tea caddy extensive brass…

Victorian Brass Inlaid Rosewood Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior

Good Victorian brass inlaid rosewood tea caddy extensive brass inlay to lid and sides and interior, fitted interior with two zinc lined compartments, and central glass mixing bowl, key available, length 32 cm.

Large William IV dark rosewood tea caddy on flat bun feet with…

William IV Rosewood Tea Caddy, 1835

Large William IV dark rosewood tea caddy on flat bun feet with interior canisters, C:1835

Victorian rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with brass inlay, twin…

Victorian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Inlay

Victorian rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with brass inlay, twin lidded compartments to interior, 15.5 cm height, 24 cm width some brass stringing missing

Victorian rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy twin lidded…

Victorian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Twin Compartments

Victorian rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy twin lidded compartments to interior, 16 cm height, 28 cm width

Victorian rosewood tea caddy 19th century of sarcophagus form…

Victorian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Inlay and Glass Bowl

Victorian rosewood tea caddy 19th century of sarcophagus form with mother-of-pearl inlay, interior with pressed glass bowl flanked by two canisters, height 22 cm, width 33 cm, depth 18 cm. Provenance: David Jones Gallery, Sydney. Private Collection,…

An antique English rosewood double tea caddy, early 19th…

Antique English Rosewood Double Tea Caddy

An antique English rosewood double tea caddy, early 19th century, interior fitted with original boxes and velvet lining, 21 cm high, 32 cm wide, 16 cm deep

A Neo-Gothic antique English tea caddy, rosewood with gilt…

Antique Rosewood Tea Caddy with Gilt Metal Mounts

A Neo-Gothic antique English tea caddy, rosewood with gilt metal mounts, circa 1840, interior fitted with two lidded compartments with whalebone handles, 14 cm high, 23 cm wide, 13 cm deep

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy the interior with 2…

Rosewood tea caddy with crystal bowl and lion feet

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy the interior with 2 lidded compartments and central crystal mixing bowl on brass lions paw feet (lacking handles) 30 cm width

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…

Regency / Wiv Brazilian rosewood tea caddy, of waisted and…

Regency Brazilian Rosewood Tea Caddy

Regency / Wiv Brazilian rosewood tea caddy, of waisted and moulded form, 38 x 18 cm, 19.5 cm high

A rosewood antique tea caddy with central lacquered container…

Antique Rosewood Tea Caddy with Lacquered Container

A rosewood antique tea caddy with central lacquered container and compartments (22 cm x 31 cm x 15 cm

Early Victorian rosewood tea caddy with 2 internal canisters,…

Victorian Rosewood Tea Caddy with Canisters

Early Victorian rosewood tea caddy with 2 internal canisters, 32 cm wide, 16.5 cm deep, 17 cm high

A Regency English tea caddy, rosewood and pine with lion mask…

Regency Tea Caddy with Lion Mask Handles

A Regency English tea caddy, rosewood and pine with lion mask handles, early 19th century, 19 cm high, 31 cm wide, 15 cm deep

An antique English tea caddy, rosewood veneer with inlaid brass…

Antique English Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Inlay

An antique English tea caddy, rosewood veneer with inlaid brass top and bun feet, interior fitted with two canisters and space for mixing bowl, circa 1830, 19 cm high33 cm wide, 16.5 cm deep

Regency rosewood small proportion tea caddy fitted with two…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Dual Compartments

Regency rosewood small proportion tea caddy fitted with two interior compartments

Rosewood tea caddy with two lidded compartments. Late 19th…

Late 19th Century Rosewood Tea Caddy with Dual Compartments

Rosewood tea caddy with two lidded compartments. Late 19th century. 15 x 21 x 12 cm

An antique English rosewood tea caddy with twin compartments,…

19th Century Rosewood Tea Caddy with Twin Compartments

An antique English rosewood tea caddy with twin compartments, early 19th century, 14 cm high, 22 cm wide, 14 cm deep

Antique small rosewood veneered tea caddy, width 20 cm

Antique small rosewood veneered tea caddy, width 20 cm

Rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, the interior complete with 2…

Rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, the interior complete with 2 tea compartments and central bowl, mother of pearl escutcheon

Rosewood tea caddy, English Regency period rosewood tea caddy,…

Rosewood tea caddy, English Regency period rosewood tea caddy, 19th century, case of sarcophagus form with a domed basket, dual side handles, fitted interior with two lidded tea boxes, centered opening with molded glass mixing vessel. 18 x 31 x 16 cm