Tea Caddies
to
53
476
8
4
95
307
74
12
30
21
7
7
2
6
3
2
4
1
1
2
100
72
54
9
7
7
5
4
3
2
2
2
1
290
233
103
72
72
252
213
373
281
217
50
37
Height
to
Width
to
488
488
488
7
4
2
1
1
Tea Caddies For Sale
Antique Belgian Spa Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Depicting Various Spa Scenes
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to introduce this superb Belgian Spa Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of square form made from Sycamore is beaut...
Category
Late 18th Century Belgian George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sycamore
Antique English Georgian Silver Tea Caddy by William Vincent
Located in Northampton, GB
Hallmarked Sterling by William Vincent of London Dated 1779
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of slight...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Exceptional 19th C Parquetry Tea Caddy with Serpentine Sides Marked TAHAN Paris
By Tahan Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
An exceptional double chamber tea caddy with geometric parquetry panels with crossbanded edges. Each of the four sides of serpentine form and raised on a conforming plinth base edged...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
19th Century Anglo Chinese Padouk Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Rare Mid 19th Century Anglo-Chinese Padouk Wood Rectangular Tea Caddy Having Attractive Silver Plate Mounted Decoration Throughout, The Hinged Lid Enclosing Two Lidded Divisions, W...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Padouk
Antique 19th Century Victorian Quality Rosewood Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique 19th Century Victorian quality rosewood tea caddy having a lift up top opening to reveal a fitted interior with a pair of lidded tea boxes and a glass mixing bowl.
In lovely...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Other
$1,040 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Toleware Grocer’s Shop Tea Tin
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century toleware grocer’s shop tea tin,
A beautiful decorative Grocers Tea Canister, it would have been filled with Tea for sale, it has a very attractive style. The lid is...
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Tin
Victorian Continental Silver .800 Hannau Footed Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, Continental silver .800, footed tea caddy, Germany, with Hannau marks, circa. 1895, B. Neresheimer and Sohne - makers. Chased with dancing ...
Category
1890s German Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Sarcophagus Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Case, William IV, Circa 1835
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique sarcophagus tea caddy. An English, rosewood loose leaf tea case dating to the William IV period, circa 1835. A beautifully proportioned piece with fine detailing, ...
Category
1830s British William IV Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Hardwood, Satinwood
19th-century English Tea Caddy by P.
F. Schäfer, London
Located in Delft, NL
19th-century English Tea Caddy by P. & F. Schäfer, London
A Tea Caddy by the toiletry bag makers P. & F. Schäfer, 19th century (John Philip Schäfer, Sophia Schäfer, Christian Philip...
Category
19th Century Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest With Key
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Exquisite 19th Century Victorian Decorative Brass Bound Burr Walnut Domed Tea Caddy Chest
Features Two Caddy Compartments Which Feature Domed Wooden Lids
Each Has A Circula...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
$1,782 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Continental Novelty Pear Fruit Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Novelty Fruit Caddy
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Continental Pear Fruit Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy turned in Sycamore shaped as a Pear fruit with globu...
Category
Early 1800s European George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Cut Steel
Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. High quality work of applied arts in Neoclassical (Biedermeier) style. The fork of...
Category
Late 19th Century Empire Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Vintage Balsa Wood and Tin Lined Tea Box Workshop Prop Decor Storage
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Vintage balsa wood, and tin lined lidded tea box, retaining partial labels.
Category
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood, Paper
$236 Sale Price
20% Off
Caribbean Mahogany Hinged Pedestal Tea Poy with Foliage Carvings, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Caribbean mahogany hinged pedestal tea poy with fitted interior, foliate carvings, and resting on the original scrolled feet. Early 19th century.
Category
1820s Caribbean Anglo-Indian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Antique Russian Solid Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy
By Victor Savinsky
Located in Northampton, GB
Rare Form with Chinoiserie Figures
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this rare example Russian Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy ...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
English Inlaid Mahogany Tea Caddy with Elaborate Crossbanding and Swag Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
An extremely fine quality inlaid mahogany tea caddy of elegant small size, the top and front with elaborate crossbanding and circular fan inay, the front with further swag inlay, the...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Boxwood, Mahogany, Rosewood
Regency Chinoiserie Penwork Tea Chest
Located in Northampton, GB
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Regency Chinoiserie Penwork Tea Chest. The Tea Chest of rectangular form sits upon four brass ball feet with matching br...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sycamore
English Antique Georgian Henry Clay Papier Mache Tea Caddy
By Henry Clay
Located in Northampton, GB
Featuring Countryside Scenes
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to introduce to the market this Papier Mache Tea Caddy by Henry Clay. The Henry Clay Tea Caddy of oval ...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Paper
Mother of Pearl Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautifully crafted mother of pearl tea caddy from circa 1860 is a true testament to English craftsmanship and elegance. The exterior glows wi...
Category
1860s French Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Russian Imperial Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy Gustav Klingert Moscow
By Gustav Klingert
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality antique Russian Imperial silver tea caddy, engraved in the Chinoiserie style, by Gustav Klingert, Moscow, dated 1894.
Gu...
Category
1890s Russian Chinoiserie Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Stunning Late 1800s Gothic Revival Walnut
Brass Tea Caddy Box W. Great Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
A very pleasing, late 19th century, double compartment tea caddy.
This marvellous and rare tea caddy is in very good condition and the burl walnut has a truly warm, deep and rich pa...
Category
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Emerald Green Goat Skin Covered Wooden Cylinder Box in the Style of Aldo Tura
By Aldo Tura
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a beautiful emerald green goat skin cylinder box with a brass pineapple finial on lid and wooden interior in the style of Aldo Tura.
Category
1950s European Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Inlaid Mother Of Pearl
Located in Dallas, TX
Tortoiseshell tea caddy with inlaid mother of pearl from England. Metal lined under two lids. Excellent condition, circa 1860.
Category
1860s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Tortoise Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
Antique English Tortoise Shell Tea Caddy
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautiful tea caddy. The tortorise shell color is perfection.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Tortoise Shell
English Regency Period Satinwood Marquetry Inlaid Serpentine Form Tea Caddy
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine English satinwood marquetry inlaid tea caddy, the serpentine top inlaid with a floral roundel over a conforming case with a beautifully inlaid oval floral medallion. The inter...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
English Birdseye Maple Sewing Box
Located in Huntington, NY
Regency birdseye maple sewing box with lions heads handles on each side
lions hairy paw feet with a key.
Category
Early 1800s English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Tea Caddy Footed Candy Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1920s Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Footed Tea Caddy with hinged lid.
This authentic Moroccan brass silver plated box has a beautiful etched geometri...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Blue glazed stoneware pot, Art Deco period by Roger Guérin, 1930s.
By Roger Guerin
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Magnificent Art Deco pot with its highly decorative lid, ideal as a candy dish, sugar bowl, trinket tray, or decorative object.
Roger Guérin (1896-1954) was a Belgian ceramist of the...
Category
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Tea Caddies
Materials
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Tea Tin
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century chinoiserie tea tin from England.
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Tin
Great Shape
Color, Antique Tea Caddy inNutwood with Brass Lock and Hinges
Located in Lisse, NL
A very pleasing to the eye, early 1800s triple compartment tea caddy.
This marvellous tea caddy is in very good condition and the patinated nutwood has a truly warm, deep and rich p...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Southall, GB
A fine Regency period rectangular tea caddy, veneered in panels divided by fine metal stringing. Silver metal escutcheon and key. Complete with an initialled plaque on the lid and ro...
Category
Early 19th Century European Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Ivory, Tortoise Shell
Mahogany George II Period Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An 18th Century, George II Period, Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy Having Original Brass Swan Neck Handle To Hinged Top, Enclosing Three Interior Divisions And Elegant Canted Corners,...
Category
Early 18th Century English George II Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
A Hand Painted Apple Shaped Tea Caddy
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A 20th Century Hand Painted Hinged Lidded Tea Caddy In The Shape Of An Apple With A Metal Patinated Stalk
A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea...
Category
19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
$1,528 Sale Price
40% Off
Antique Tea Caddy, English, Satinwood, Box, Mixing Glass, Regency, circa 1830
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique tea caddy. An English, rosewood and satinwood container with glass mixer, dating to the late Regency period, circa 1830.
Delightful R...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Satinwood
English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
A lovely bow front tortoiseshell tea caddy inlaid with mother of pearl flowers and topped with a silver badge. English, circa 1870.
Category
1870s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
1980s Vintage Fitz and Floyd Rain Forest Majolica Monkey Ceramic Teapot
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Fitz and Floyd Rain Forest Monkey Majolica ceramic Teapot.
Vintage Majolica Monkey Fitz and Floyd 1980s Rain Forest Teapot.
Designed as ...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Victorian Tea Caddies
Materials
Ceramic
Victorian Rosewood Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Dome Topped Tea Caddy
From our Tunbridge Ware collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy. The Tea Ca...
Category
Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
$1,321 / item
Antique Irish Georgian Hand Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Tea Caddy George III
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally rare Irish George III hand cut full lead crystal single tea caddy of rectangular outline with canted corners and outstanding quality, first quarter of the nineteenth century.
The finely chased silver mounted rim and hinged cover, hand cut with three bands of lozenges on a plain ground, decorative star cut base underneath.
Condition: Exceptional condition for such an early piece, with no losses or clouding inside, silver mounts are unmarked but test positive for silver. Wonderful age wear underneath on base. Lock is present but key does not turn. Back and front views are similar.
Measures: Height: 5.25” (13.5cm). Width: 3.75” (9.5cm). Depth: 3” (7.5cm).
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Stunning and rare Tea Caddy...
Category
18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Scottish Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy attributed to Smiths
Located in Northampton, GB
Scottish Mauchline Ware
From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Mauchline Ware Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of rectangular form extensively decorated with a repeating pinstripe pattern throughout the entire exterior of the Tea Caddy upon a Sycamore carcass. The decoration features a striped effect with alternating classical scrollwork, linked chain and pin striped vertical line transfers in shades of gold, green and red. A shield-shaped escutcheon finishes the exterior of the Caddy. When opened the Tea Caddy reveals a single Caddy compartment with traces of the original foil lining and the Caddy the original full length wooden Cumnock Hinge. The Tea Caddy dates to the late Georgian Period during the reign of George IV Circa 1830. The Tea Caddy is a rare example of early Mauchline Ware especially because of the Type of decoration used and extremely good condition, a superb addition to any collection. We firmly attribute the Tea Caddy to renowned Scottish Mauchline Ware makers Smiths from the extremely close similarities between this Caddy and a previous one in our archives signed by Smiths.
The Tea Caddy comes complete with working lock and tasselled key.
Mauchline Ware was the production of Scottish white-wood products, it was mainly manufactured from the 1820s until 1939. The production of souvenir woodware for the tourist market began in the 1790s with the snuff box industry in Ayrshire. By 1820, Mauchline ware was well established, supplying souvenirs from wood grown ‘on the Field of Bannockburn’, ‘on the Abbey Craig’, ‘on the slopes of Stirling Castle’ and made into sewing requisites, egg cups, trinket boxes and many other kinds of souvenirs, transfer printed with a line drawing of the place. The firm Smith’s who regarded as the the leading and most renowned manufacturer of Mauchline War among a few lesser known and shorter lived companies. They ranged from the basic transfer as on small vases to boxes and smaller household accessories...
Category
Early 19th Century Scottish William IV Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sycamore
Blonde Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, England 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Blonde Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, England 19th Century
Category
19th Century English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Tortoise Shell
George III Period Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 18th century, Georgian Mahogany Rectangular Tea Caddy, Having Original Brass Handle To Hinged Top, Enclosing Divisions, With Unusual Glazed Panels To Front Bearin...
Category
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Berthold Muller/Neresheimer Sterling Silver Seated Pig Box or Tea Caddy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English figural silver box or tea caddy.
In sterling silver.
Made by Neresheimer and imported to England by Berthold Muller.
(Berthold Muller & Son was an important...
Category
20th Century British Edwardian Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Tea Caddy, Lacquered Wood with Gilded Decorations
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautifully crafted Chinese export tea caddy made of wood with black lacquer, richly adorned with gilded motifs featuring classical Chinese scenes of people, houses, and more.
The ...
Category
Late 19th Century Qing Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet
Located in Haarlem, NL
Clover or quartreform shaped mid-19th century Chinese canton export tea caddy in gold lacquered wood on a black background.
Decorated with palace scenes...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Pewter
$1,580 Sale Price
20% Off
Georgian Octagonal Partridgewood Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Rare Partridgewood, Late 18th Century Georgian Tea Caddy, Of Octagonal Form Having Attractive Inlaid Decoration And Hinged Lid Enclosing Two Lidded Divisions.
Partridge wood is a...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Other
19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A well-made antique, circa 1830, English tea caddy with stunning marquetry inlays, warm coloring, superb detailing, and luminous rich patina!
When tea first arrived in Europe in t...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
Very Early Meissen Tea Caddy With Merchant Ship Scenes And Bud Knob, 1763-1774
Located in Vienna, AT
Rectangular porcelain box with rounded shoulders, small round, slightly domed lid with bud handle, colourful painted merchant scenes on the four sides and on the top of the lid, gold...
Category
Late 18th Century German Rococo Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Porcelain
Regency Rosewood Sarcophagus Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Attractive Late Regency Period Rosewood Tea Caddy, Of Elegant Sarcophagus Form, Having Domed Lid With Mother Of Pearl Inlaid Decoration, Enclosing Two Lidded Divisions, Raised...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Rosewood
Antique English Silver Tea Caddy - Sheffield 1893 - Atkin Brothers
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome Victorian solid / sterling silver tea canister with a repousse decoration to both body and pull-off lid.
The tea caddy is fully hallmarked for the well renowned silversmi...
Category
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Sterling Silver
English Shagreen Tea Caddy 19th with Bone Finial
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique English shagreen cased six sided wooden tea caddy with nice silver mounts, bone finial and undivided interior. Comes with small silver pin to ...
Category
1880s English Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver
Antique Drawing Room Tea Caddy, English, Flame, Sarcophagus, Regency, circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique drawing room tea caddy. An English, flame mahogany sarcophagus with glass mixer, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820.
Super...
Category
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
1960
s Japanese Tea Caddy Tin Canister
Located in New York, NY
1960's tin tea caddy covered in traditional Japanese woven gold fabric with floral motif. There are two lids, inner and outer to keep tea leaves fresh.
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Tea Caddies
Materials
Tin
Chinese Large Mother of Pearl Mounted Armorial Tea Caddy for MacPherson
Located in Bishop
s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare, incredible and large antique Chinese carved mother of pearl mounted tea caddy with armorial for MacPherson and dating from circa...
Category
1770s Chinese Qing Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Fabulous Antique English Penwork Double Compartment Tea Caddy c.1820
Located in Bath, GB
A simply magnificent and grand example of a Regency Penwork Tea Caddy dating 1820.
The caddy stands on it's original large gilded bronze Lion's paw feet and the sides retaining the ...
Category
1820s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
$3,854 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Walnut Veneer Parquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A 19th Century Antique English Victorian Ebonised Walnut Veneer Tea Caddy With Brass Handle
Lining
A Charming tea caddy with decorative walnut veneer parquetry.
A tea caddy...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
$991 Sale Price
40% Off
Antique Tea Caddy, English, Loose Leaf Canister, Mixing Glass, Regency, C.1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique tea caddy. An English, flame mahogany loose leaf tea container with glass mixer, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820.
Attractive Regency period caddy with fi...
Category
1820s British Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Glass, Wood
Rococo Style Repousse Silver Plate Tea Caddy Spoon, U.K., Mid-19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Rococo style silver plate tea caddy spoon - featuring repousse shell shaped decoration with leaves - 'c' scrolls to the handle - fine quality workmanship and classic details ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Rococo Revival Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Silver Plate
Early 19th Century Regency Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tea Caddy of Sarcophagus Form
Located in Long Island City, NY
The body and hinged lid with mother of pearl and brass-line inlay. The fitted interior is lined with purple velvet. With a brass escutcheon and bun foot.
Category
1820s Irish Regency Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Brass
An English Fruitwood Apple Form Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine novelty fruitwood tea caddy in the form of an apple. lathe turned and with a soft honey patina, restoration to the lid at the hinge. England...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tea Caddies
Materials
Fruitwood
Hermes Carnets D
Equateur Tea Box
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Hermes "Carnets D'Équateur" multi-color tea caddy in hand painted lacquered wood with jungle motif and stainless steel interior / Made in Vietnam
Original stamp at underside / c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Tea Caddies
Materials
Wood
$1,749 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage, New and Antique Tea Caddies
There are lots of uses for your vintage, new or antique tea caddies, but they can certainly serve their original intended purpose if needed.
When tea first gained popularity during the 1800s, and teatime became commonplace in homes all over England, it was an expensive commodity owing to excessive taxation. (This, of course, inevitably yielded a black market for tea leaves.) Tea drinkers hoarded their precious goods, which began to arrive in London ports from China during the 17th century, under lock and key. In luxury homes, tea leaves were stowed away in a decorative jar or canister called a tea caddy that was fitted with a lock, or, alternatively, the container was kept in a secured chest or storage cabinet.
Tea was thought to be not just a delicious drink but also to have medicinal benefits. The Chinese had been praising the healthy properties of tea, and wealthy Europeans were eager to discover its benefits for themselves during their ritual afternoon tea. The idea of “teatime” wasn’t a social event in upper-class British homes until the 1830s or 1840s. During Queen Victoria’s reign, small baked treats might be served with your beverage, and teakettles and coffeepots were part of tea services that could include teacups, saucers, a milk pot and other accessories.
When tea cultivation was relegated to British colonies such as India, and the British East India Company could no longer hold onto its trade monopoly with China, tea was no longer a ritual confined to the wealthy. Today, antique and vintage tea caddies are collector’s items all over the world.
Tea caddies weren’t unique to Europeans. The earliest pieces originated in China. Surviving hand-painted examples from China or elsewhere in Asia made of porcelain might feature enameled landscapes or other designs. At the Taft Museum of Art, there are striking enameled 18th-century-era tea caddies of copper that were given to the institution in 2014. Wooden tea caddies materialized over time and were seen as sturdier than their ceramic counterparts.
Today, there are all kinds of ways to use a vintage tea caddy if you’re passing on tea. They’re a welcome decorative flourish on the mantel in your living room, for example. A metal tea caddy, lined with a plastic bag, can be used to cultivate an herb garden on your kitchen windowsill. An old wooden tea caddy can help keep your paper clips or pushpins organized on your desk too. If you’re always on the go, a tea tin is good for packing earbuds, hand sanitizer, gum or whatever else that might get easily lost in a roomy crossbody messenger bag or other shoulder bag.
Teatime or not, find antique and vintage mid-century modern tea caddies, tortoiseshell caddies and more on 1stDibs.
More Ways To Browse
Tea Bin
Antique French Tea Caddy
Antique Japanese Tea Box
Antique Japanese Tea Caddy
Footed Tea Caddy
Tea Caddy Stand
Tea Caddy With Key
Antique Apple Boxes
Antique Fruitwood Tea Caddy
Bombe Tea Caddy
Chinese Pewter Tea Caddy
Fruit Tea Caddy
Monkey Teapot
Tortoiseshell Box 18th Century
Japanese Canister
Pewter Canister
Wooden Canister
Antique Coffee Bean Dispenser