This exceptional Dutch silver tea caddy has been realistically modelled in the form of a classic antique wine cooler and has a panelled tapering shaped form.

The surface of this antique tea caddy is embellished with embossed panels depicting rural figures at leisure in rural settings; these scenes include a music festival, cobbled stone marketplace and figures fishing on the banks of a river.

Each scene is encompassed with a scrolling foliate decorated border accented with leaf festoons.

The box is fitted with a hinged cover accented with a continuation of scrolling foliate decoration amidst plain bands, accented with an elongated shaped thumbpiece to the anterior edge.

The upper plateau of the cover is ornamented with further embossed scenes replicating the details of the body.

The cover is surmounted by an impressive handle, encompassed with a ribbed collar design to the centre of the handpiece.

This exceptional antique tea caddy is supported by four Regency style paw feet.

The underside of this impressive box features the Dutch export mark (key mark intruding lion passant).

This exceptional example of antique silverware features no maker"s mark; the maker is therefore unknown.

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This antique tea caddy is an exceptional gauge of silver for its type, exceptional quality and in exceptional presentation condition.

The embossed decoration is all very sharp.

Full hallmarks struck to the underside of the tea caddy are all very clear.

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique silverware.

Length 11.7cm/4.6"

Width 7.6cm/3"

Height 10cm/3.9"

8.6 troy ounces/269g

Date: Circa 1890

Origin: Netherlands, Europe