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Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
Tea Caddies and Tea

Tea Caddies and Tea


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An exceptional Brazilian Rosewood Tea Caddy Inlaid with Mother of Pearl C 1840.
An exceptional Brazilian Rosewood three compartment Tea Caddy finely inlaid with mother of pearl C 1840.

 The shape of this caddy combines elements and influences characteristic of the  nineteenth century. It is structured in an architectural form combining tapered  and pyramid lines which make this caddy a strong statement of the robust and elegant style of the late Regency and early Victorian.
Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia Nigra) is the most prized cabinet wood of this period. The figuring of the wood in this caddy which contrasts dark and light striations is particularly striking.
This caddy measures 14 inches  wide by 7.75 inches deep by 8. inches high; 37.5cm wide by 19.5cm deep by 20cm high 

The caddy is in very good original condition and has a working lock with key.   

 

The central compartment has the original heavy hand blown and cut crystal mixing bowl (see below). The bowl sits in a specially made recess, which is faced with mitered and book matched rosewood.

The drop handles are turned from solid rosewood. The turned escutcheon is in Mother of pearl. The main body of the caddy sits on a base which is edged in gadrooned rosewood. The top part is also gadrooned.  These decorative edgings were made on a lathe and attached to the box. 

The caddy stands on four turned  rosewood feet. 

 
 
The interior contains two lift out containers also in rosewood. The lid is lined in rosewood as are the facings and the bowl holding compartment. 

The interior bottom part of the caddy is lined in mahogany which is edged in rosewood.
The lift out containers are of solid rosewood construction and retain most of the original lead lining. The lining is worn on the lids.

The canisters have the same fine Mother of pearl Inlay Framed with a line of pewter. 
 
 
The Caddy has the label "DALTON- Manufacturer 85 Quadrant, Regent Street London" 

Labels are not often found on caddies.

The bowl like the caddy is in the typical form. This is deeply cut.

This bowl is the original heavy hand blown crystal mixing bowl. 

For the historical context of this caddy read the relevant part of Antigone's Online Antique Box Book. If you click here you will go there.

  © 2000 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly