ANTIQUE BOXES at the Sign of the Hygra 2 Middleton Road London E8 4BL Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7254 7074 email: boxes@hygra.com Antique Boxes in English Society 1760 -1900 by ANTIGONE Tea Caddies and Tea Tea Caddies and Tea Home e-mail Contents   Up   Thumbs

A Magnificently Constructed Three Compartment Tea Caddy of Imposing Proportions in Flame Mahogany circa 1830.

This is the largest caddy I have ever seen .It is 17 inches wide, 9.75 inches deep and 11 inches high. Usual size for large caddies is 12 inches wide.  It is impossible to convey how impressive it is from photographs. The shape is very structured and this is further enhanced by the unusual  fielded panels framed with gadrooning. This gives a three dimensional effect of extra depth giving the caddy a solid assured strength..   The caddy is in very good original condition and has a working lock with key.   It   has a very rich deep patina. It is veneered in thick flame mahogany saw cut veneers and stands on turned mahogany feet. The loop drop handles are of turned ebony.  This is a front view showing the shape and proportions of the  central panel. It also shows the flame figuring of the panel.  Inside the caddy is lined in mahogany and has two lift out canisters and a central cut crystal bowl.  The canisters retain much of their original lead lining.  They have the correct period hinge.  Detail of the inside lining of the lid. Note the gadrooning and the framing of the central beautifully figured panel.  Side view: the ebony handle is in the centre of the fielded panel which is also deeper than the framing. On two corners there is evidence of an old repair(?) or cracking where the veneers were joined in construction. On another corner there is a small repair. These are only visible if the caddy is closely examined from underneath. There is also a small repair or old cracking on one of the canisters (about a third of an inch).       The original bowl like the caddy is impressive. It is heavy hand cut crystal and compliments the style of the caddy.    .

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.

© 1999 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly