19th Century English
Dome Topped Tea Caddy
Beautiful Dual Bands of Intricate Parquetry
Offered for your collection, a fine example of a Victorian English Tea Caddy, from the mid-1800's, crafted from burr walnut veneer.
The handsome dual parquetry bands on the caddy and the elongated
parquetry diamond on the lid, are particularly well done. These ornamentations contrast
beautifully with the swirling patterns of the honey-colored wood. The interior
of the caddy has two lidded storage compartments. The antique key is decorative
only; it does not operate the lock.
When first introduced to the Western
world in the 17th century through the China trade, tea was a rare
and precious commodity. As English traders became more involved in the tea
trade, the Chinese word “catty”, used as a measure of weight for tea, became “caddy”,
a storage container for tea. Tea caddies became ubiquitous in most homes as tea became affordable for all.
This fine tea caddy has a rich history, and will add depth to any collection of tea culture memorabilia. As a decorative piece, it will catch the eye where ever it is displayed.