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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Good Regency sarcophagus tea caddy, in ebonised wood, inlaid…

Regency Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy

Good Regency sarcophagus tea caddy, in ebonised wood, inlaid with scrolling floral motifs in mother of pearl, opening to a fitted interior with central bowl, flanked by removable lidded canisters, the whole raised on four lobed bun feet and flanked by…

A Regency brass inlaid mahogany tea caddy, circa 1810, of…

A Regency brass inlaid mahogany tea caddy, circa 1810, of sarcophagus form with gilt metal lion mask ring handles to the sides and lion's paw feet, all edges with inlaid brass mouldings, the top and front inlaid with brass stars and stringing, the…

Large Regency Brazilian rosewood sarcophagus caddy, with gilt…

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Caddy with Ivory Fittings

Large Regency Brazilian rosewood sarcophagus caddy, with gilt brass lion ring handles, the interior with lidded compartments and mixing bowl, ivory fittings, 16 cm x 31.5 cm, 17 cm high

Regency rosewood an amboyna tea caddy, in sarcophagus form with…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Marquetry and Bun Feet

Regency rosewood an amboyna tea caddy, in sarcophagus form with marquetry, ring handles and bun feet

Regency Brazilian rosewood tea caddy, with three section…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Ebony Canisters

Regency Brazilian rosewood tea caddy, with three section interior with sarcophagus shaped ebony canisters, rosewood ring handles on reeded bun feet, 37 cm wide, 17.5 cm deep, 20 cm high

Regency brass inlaid tea caddy c1825, with Bramah type lock,…

Regency Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy with Bramah Lock and Accessories

Regency brass inlaid tea caddy c1825, with Bramah type lock, interior with twin vaulted top canisters, original finely cut bowl and tea caddy spoon, 33 cm, length, 16 cm, height approx

Regency rosewood sarcophagus caddy edged in boxwood, matching…

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Caddy with Matching Canisters

Regency rosewood sarcophagus caddy edged in boxwood, matching triple interior with lidded canisters, rosewood side handles with brass rings, c.1825

Regency caddy in Brazilian rosewood with 3 lidded interior, on…

Regency Rosewood Caddy with Three Lidded Interior

Regency caddy in Brazilian rosewood with 3 lidded interior, on ball feet. c1830, 32.5 cm x 16.5 cm, 18 cm high

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

Regency Rosewood Brass Tea Caddy with Mixing Bowl

A Regency rosewood brass inlaid tea caddy, circa 1830 with original mixing bowl, 18 x 35 x 18 cm

A Regency period, rosewood and brass inlay sarcophagus shape,…

Rosewood Tea Caddy with Crystal Bowl

A Regency period, rosewood and brass inlay sarcophagus shape, tea caddy, c.1820-1830, with two pullout canister boxes and central cut crystal mixing bowl. Height 19.2 cm. Length 30 cm. Depth 16 cm

Stunning Regency inlaid tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with…

Regency Inlaid Tea Caddy with Brass Scrollwork and Bun Feet

Stunning Regency inlaid tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with twin turned handles, inlaid with brass scroll work, the cover opening to reveal a central bowl, flanked by inlaid compartments, on bun feet, 32 x 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…

Regency beefwood tea caddy, with brass ring handles and…

Regency Beefwood Tea Caddy with Satinwood Interior

Regency beefwood tea caddy, with brass ring handles and interior of satinwood with central mixing bowl. Length 30 cm Height 18 cm

Regency casuarina sarcophagus tea caddy, with inlaid top and…

Regency Tea Caddy with Inlaid Top and Lion Handles

Regency casuarina sarcophagus tea caddy, with inlaid top and interior lids and lion mask handles, 18.5 cm wide, 11.6 cm deep, 14.1 cm high

Regency rosewood bow fronted caddy with divided interior, on…

Regency Rosewood Bow Fronted Caddy with Divided Interior

Regency rosewood bow fronted caddy with divided interior, on bun feet with diamond shaped escutcheon. c1810, 33.3 cm x 17.2 cm, 14 cm high

Regency casuarina caddy with complicated angled bombe shape,…

Regency Ivory Inlaid Caddy with Lion Mask Handles

Regency casuarina caddy with complicated angled bombe shape, and twin lidded interior, ivory knobs, lion mask handles and paw feet, inlaid and strung. c1810, 22 cm x 12.5 cm, 15.5 cm high

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 Regency rosewood brass inlay tea caddy, circa 1820, William…

Regency Rosewood Brass Inlay Tea Caddy by William Batley

A Regency rosewood brass inlay tea caddy, circa 1820, William Batley London Holborn, of sarchophagus form with twin ring handles, the interior with two hinged lidded compartments, embelished with scrolling brass inlay throughout, with original Williams…

Regency rosewood sarcophagus caddy boxwood strung, with…

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Caddy with Lion Handles

Regency rosewood sarcophagus caddy boxwood strung, with original paw feet and lion handles, twin lidded interior with ivory knobs. c1820, 19 cm x 11.5 cm, 15 cm high

Regency inlaid mahogany tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with…

Regency Inlaid Mahogany Tea Caddy with Brass Scrollwork

Regency inlaid mahogany tea caddy, of sarcophagus form with twin loop handles, opening to three sectioned interior, inlaid with brass scroll work, raised on four bun feet, 15 cm x 31 cm x 23 cm

Regency rosewood brass inlaid fitted tea caddy on bronze claw…

Regency Rosewood Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy with Accessories

Regency rosewood brass inlaid fitted tea caddy on bronze claw feet with ring handles, a brass inlaid body, velvet lined interior, two lidded canister compartments, a cut glass bowl and a silver plated caddy spoon. Dimensions 31.5 x 16 x 22.5 cm

Regency mahogany and marquetry tea caddy, c. 1830, rectangular…

Regency Marquetry Tea Caddy with Ivory Keyhole

Regency mahogany and marquetry tea caddy, c. 1830, rectangular with marquetry and ebony string inlay on all sides and in the interior, with ivory keyhole, containing two removable canisters, height 12 cm width 18 cm depth 12 cm. Provenance: The collection…

A Regency casuarina wood tea caddy. Early 19th century. The…

Regency Casuarina Tea Caddy with Lion Head Handles

A Regency casuarina wood tea caddy. Early 19th century. The caddy is made using imported casuarina (Australian she-oak) in the Georgian style with two interior hinged lidded canisters, lion head mask drop handles on turned bun feet. Height 16.5 cm. Length…

Regency burr yew tea caddy of canted sarcophagus shape, with…

Regency Burr Yew Tea Caddy with Rosewood Interior

Regency burr yew tea caddy of canted sarcophagus shape, with triple section interior of rosewood and ivory thread escutcheon. c1820, 31 cm x 14.5 cm, 17 cm high

Regency tea caddy, c. 1815, of sarcophagus form in coromandel…

Regency Coromandel Tea Caddy with Glass Bowl

Regency tea caddy, c. 1815, of sarcophagus form in coromandel wood, containing two lidded caddies and cut glass mixing bowl, height 22 cm, width 35 cm, depth 19 cm. Provenance: Fraser's Antiques, Willoughby, 1992

Regency rosewood sarcophagus caddy with intricate brass inlay,…

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Caddy with Brass Inlay, c.1825

Regency rosewood sarcophagus caddy with intricate brass inlay, triple interior with matching canisters, c.1825

Large Regency rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus shape with double…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Canisters and Bowl, c.1830

Large Regency rosewood tea caddy sarcophagus shape with double angled top, twin canisters and original bowl with ground pontil, with key, c.1830

Regency sarcophagus tea caddy in burr yew wood strung in…

Regency Burr Yew Sarcophagus Tea Caddy, c1820

Regency sarcophagus tea caddy in burr yew wood strung in boxwood with ring handles and matching twin lidded interior with ebony knobs, c1820

Regency rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus form, boxwood strung,…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Ivory Knobs and Lion Handles

Regency rosewood tea caddy, of sarcophagus form, boxwood strung, twin lidded interior with ivory knobs, lion ring handles & claw feet, c1820, 18.5 cm x 11 cm, 14.5 cm

Regency casuarina sarcophagus shape tea caddy, boxwood strung…

Regency Tea Caddy with Sarcophagus Shape and Inlay

Regency casuarina sarcophagus shape tea caddy, boxwood strung and inlaid, matching interior with lined ivory knobs, c1810, 18 cm x 11 cm, 13.5 cm high

Regency Chinoiserie caddy with gold paint depicting Chinese…

Regency Chinoiserie Gold Painted Caddy on Paw Feet

Regency Chinoiserie caddy with gold paint depicting Chinese scenes, on paw feet and with diamond shaped escutcheon. c1810, 19.5 cm x 13 cm, 14 cm high

Regency rosewood tea caddy, with brass inlay, lion ring handles,…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Inlay and Lion Handles

Regency rosewood tea caddy, with brass inlay, lion ring handles, 3 section interior and brass barrel canisters, 35 cm wide, 16.3 cm deep, 16.3 cm high

Regency rosewood caddy of canted sarcophagus form, with brass…

Regency Rosewood Caddy with Brass Handles and Ivory Escutcheon

Regency rosewood caddy of canted sarcophagus form, with brass ring handles and shaped ivory escutcheon, matching interior canisters. c1820, 32 cm x 15 cm, 18.5 cm high

Regency Chinoiserie lacquered tea caddy, with gold painted…

Regency Gold Lacquered Tea Caddy with Chinoiserie Design

Regency Chinoiserie lacquered tea caddy, with gold painted figures & birds, twin interior of engraved double lidded pewter containers & claw feet, c1820, 23 cm x 17 cm, 13 cm high

Large Regency parquetry tea caddy of many woods, including…

Regency Parquetry Tea Caddy, Sarcophagus Shape, c1830

Large Regency parquetry tea caddy of many woods, including ebony, satinwood, maple, fruitwood, mahogany, and burr yew. Sarcophagus shape with a 3 division interior, c1830, 32 cm x 17.5 cm, 19.5 cm high

Large Regency Brazilian rosewood sarcophagus caddy of waisted…

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Caddy with Gilt Handles, c1830

Large Regency Brazilian rosewood sarcophagus caddy of waisted form, triple interior with lidded canisters and cut glass bowl, with gilt brass ring handles, c1830

Regency pallisander tea caddy of curved sarcophagus form, with…

Regency Pallisander Tea Caddy with Matching Canisters, c1825

Regency pallisander tea caddy of curved sarcophagus form, with flowerhead ring handles and ornate paw feet, triple interior with matching canisters, c1825

Large Regency casuarina tea caddy inlaid with various woods,…

Regency Casuarina Tea Caddy with Inlays and Canisters

Large Regency casuarina tea caddy inlaid with various woods, the triple interior with matching inlays and lidded canisters, sphinx ring handles to sides, with key, c1825

Large Regency dark rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, with large…

Regency Rosewood Tea Caddy with Brass Handles and Interior

Large Regency dark rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, with large brass ring handles, bun feet and triple section interior with mixing bowl, c1825, 36 cm x 20 cm, 23 cm high

A Regency tea caddy, casuarina and pine with brass lion handles…

Regency Tea Caddy with Brass Lion Handles

A Regency tea caddy, casuarina and pine with brass lion handles and bun feet, circa 1825, interior fitted with casuarina compartments and glass mixing bowl, 22 cm high, 31 cm wide, 15 cm deep

A Regency penwork tea caddy, English, crica 1810, 18 cm high,…

Regency Penwork Tea Caddy, Circa 1810

A Regency penwork tea caddy, English, crica 1810, 18 cm high, 22 cm wide, 14.5 cm deep

Rare Pollard oak Regency period tea caddy, of bomb sarcophagus…

Regency Oak Tea Caddy with Fruit Basket Handles

Rare Pollard oak Regency period tea caddy, of bomb sarcophagus shape, interior with lidded canisters and basket of fruit handles, c1825, 32 cm x 17 cm, 19 cm

Large Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, the interior with…

Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Tea Caddy with Brass Accents

Large Regency rosewood sarcophagus tea caddy, the interior with vaulted canisters and cut glass bowl, ornate brass ring handles & ball feet, c1830, 35 cm x 19 cm, 21 cm high

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 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

Large rare Regency sarcophagus tea caddy in coromandel wood…

Regency Coromandel Sarcophagus Tea Caddy, c1825

Large rare Regency sarcophagus tea caddy in coromandel wood with ebony feet and ring handles, the interior with matching vaulted canisters and original bowl, c1825

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

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 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…