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 Regency mahogany tea caddy with two boxes with hinge tops, on…

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy with Two Boxes

A Regency mahogany tea caddy with two boxes with hinge tops, on bun feet mixing bowl missing. 18 cm high, 31 cm wide, 15 cm deep.

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 Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with ring-drop handles…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Ring Handles and Bun Feet

A Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with ring-drop handles and bun feet. Width 22 cm

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

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.

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 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

A Regency walnut tea caddy, square sarcophagus form, with four…

A Regency walnut tea caddy, square sarcophagus form, with four interior lidded compartments, raised on small bun feet. 21 x 21 x 22 cm.

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

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

Sterling silver Regency style tea caddy with fruit detail to…

Regency Style Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by James Dixon & Sons

Sterling silver Regency style tea caddy with fruit detail to handle. Maker James Dixon & Sons. Sheffield, 1905. Height 15 cm. Weight 310g

A Regency rosewood inlaid tea caddy, of sarcophagus form, fine…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Satinwood Inlay

A Regency rosewood inlaid tea caddy, of sarcophagus form, fine satinwood inlaid panels with elaborate scrolling frame, captured ring handles, the interior with two lidded compartments.

Antique English Regency tea caddy, no key, approx 17 cm high,…

Regency Tea Caddy, Antique, 17cm x 30cm, No Key

Antique English Regency tea caddy, no key, approx 17 cm high, 30 cm long

A Regency burr walnut tea caddy, English, 19th century, 16 cm…

Regency Burr Walnut Tea Caddy, 19th Century English

A Regency burr walnut tea caddy, English, 19th century, 16 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.

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

Regency rosewood tea caddy, inlaid with brass & mother of pearl…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass & Mother of Pearl Inlay

Regency rosewood tea caddy, inlaid with brass & mother of pearl A/F

A Regency rosewood tea chest, circa 1815, of sarcophagus shape…

Regency Rosewood Tea Chest with Elaborate Cast Feet

A Regency rosewood tea chest, circa 1815, of sarcophagus shape with boxwood edging, a bone escutcheon, twin lion and ring brass handles and raised on elaborate cast shell feet, the fitted interior with hinged caddies and a glass mixing bowl, with a silver…

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

Rare Regency casuarina wood tea caddy, with lion mask handles…

Rare Regency casuarina wood tea caddy, with lion mask handles (some A/F), width 20.5 cm, height 15 cm

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

A Regency rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus shape with…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

A Regency rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus shape with mother-of-pearl inlay, the hinged lid opening to reveal two compartments flanking a cavity for a mixing bowl. Width 34 cm

Regency satinwood tea caddy measures 21 x 14 cm high

Regency Satinwood Tea Caddy - 21 x 14 cm

Regency satinwood tea caddy measures 21 x 14 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

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

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

Regency rosewood tea caddy of sarcophagus form on bun feet (one…

Rosewood Tea Caddy on Bun Feet

Regency rosewood tea caddy of sarcophagus form on bun feet (one missing)

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

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.

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

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 mahogany tea caddy

Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy

A Regency mahogany tea caddy

A Regency rosewood tea caddy, sarcophagus form, the interior…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Glass Bowl

A Regency rosewood tea caddy, sarcophagus form, the interior with two lidded compartments and an old glass mixing bowl. A.F.

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.

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with double lidded…

Rosewood Sarcophagus Tea Caddy with Double Lid & Handles

Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy with double lidded interior and turned carrying handles

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 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 Regency rosewood tea caddy, plain sarcophagus form,…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

A Regency rosewood tea caddy, plain sarcophagus form, mother-of-pearl- inlaid escutcheon, vacant interior. 28.5 cm x 13.5 cm x 15.5 cm

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

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 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

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

A Regency burr walnut tea caddy, of sarcophagus shape, the…

Regency Burr Walnut Tea Caddy with Sarcophagus Shape

A Regency burr walnut tea caddy, of sarcophagus shape, the interior with two compartments flanking a cavity for bowl. 33 cm x 18 cm x 20 cm

Regency inlaid tea caddy with fitted interior

Inlaid Regency Tea Caddy with Fitted Interior

Regency inlaid tea caddy with fitted interior

Regency Sarcophagus tea caddy triple interior with glass bowl

Regency Glass Triple Tea Caddy Sarcophagus

Regency Sarcophagus tea caddy triple interior with glass bowl

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

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.