Description:
A fine inlaid harewood tea caddy of oval form the front directly inlaid with maple and fruit wood depicting a basket of fruit on trailing branches: grapes and cherries. The basket is suspended from a bow which is integrated within the design of the escutcheon. The lively composition is most unusual. The sensitive design and treatment of the escutcheon shows a mastery of form and purpose. The inlay is given further definition with fine engraved penwork.

 

 

The top is inlaid with an oval medallion depicting a basket of flowers including carnations and roses. 

The caddy encloses two compartments and is edged and faced with maple.

 Working  original lock and key.

Origin: UK

Circa: 1790.

Materials: mahogany maple and fruitwood.

Size: 19cm wide by 11cm deep by 13cm high: 7.5 inches 4.3 inches deep by 5.1 inches high.

Condition: In the main the caddy is in good original condition. The flat top part has had a refinishing coat of polish, however the traces of original 18th century varnish and fading are visible through it. See detail photos below. Inside the caddy has traces of its original leading.

The basket is suspended from a bow which is integrated within the design of the escutcheon. The lively composition is most unusual. The sensitive design and treatment of the escutcheon shows a mastery of form and purpose. The inlay is given further definition with fine engraved penwork.

The top is inlaid with an oval medallion depicting a basket of flowers including carnations and roses. 

The inlay is given further definition with fine engraved penwork.

 The pieces making up the marquetry which is very tightly cut are engraved and the design is then emphasized with penwork. 

The basket is a gathering of the fruit grapes and cherries.

The top is inlaid with an oval medallion depicting a basket of flowers including carnations and roses.  For comparison see www.hygra.com
/tc/tcbx22d.htm 

There are similarities of inlay, construction, form, and hardware. 

I have chosen to not remove the varnish and simply reveal the beauty of the inlay composition with better light. 

The top is inlaid with an oval medallion depicting a basket of flowers including carnations and roses. 

much original varnish survives. the tightness of element is incredible.

 The underside is felted. The felt is clearly of two dates.  there is a small piece of the darkened maple edge .

The steel tennon of the lock looks undisturbed.

The caddy encloses two compartments and is edged and faced with maple.

Detail:  The caddy retains its original lock and key the lock is gently curved following the profile of  the caddy.

Inside the caddy has traces of its original leading.

A small part  of the facing is a replacement. 

 Detail of the hinge.  This looks untouched. The inner edge is cut to follow the curved profile of the caddy.

The whole caddy has a gentle sheen. The construction appears to be a continual piece of wood which is bent to shape rather than luted. 

The colours are now subtle, and to my mind all the more delicious for it. In some of the photographs, I have pushed the contrast.