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Description:
Ref: 742TC http://hygra.com/box/742TC 
Victorian Burr Walnut veneered two compartment Tea Caddy on a mahogany structure with engraved and pierced brass mounts and trick opening to the tea canisters. The burr walnut is exceptionally intricately figured. The straps of brass are pierced and finely chased  in the neo-gothic style. The return for inspiration to an earlier era, which was seen as more purely English, was a symptom of the renewed sense of patriotism, characteristic of the Victorian era.

Origin: UK;  Circa: 1880; Materials: Burr walnut and brass on pine structure.

Size: 22 cm wide, 19.8 cm deep,   16 cm high:   8.7 inches wide by  7.8  inches by  6.3  inches.

Condition: good overall Overall good with excellent patina. Signs on the top when very closely inspected that it may have had a handle which was subsequently removed and the hole repaired. On account of the nature of the wood, with its dots and swirls, the repair disappears in the pattern.; working lock and key; see images

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The caddy open. The domed lids are not removable, but hinged to the back. This is a very unusual construction and gives the impression that there are two removable canisters. The way the tops are secured, enabled the maker to build them to a high level, harmonising the domed top of the exterior with the roundness of the interior.
The inside of the lid is lined in the original gold embossed velvet.

The two canisters are opened by pressing the buttons on the front facing.

The caddy closed. The burr walnut is exceptionally intricately figured. The straps of brass are pierced and engraved in the neo-gothic style. The return for inspiration to an earlier era, which was seen as more purely English, was a symptom of the renewed sense of patriotism, characteristic of the Victorian era. Neoclassicism gave way to a yearning for an art which evoked the Arthurian legends with its intricate metal artifacts and curly and pointed patterns.

The side shows that no expense was spared in using just as good a piece of burr walnut as used for the front.

The back where the beautifully pierced and chased brass straps continue to give the caddy a feel of strength.

The other side with beautifully figured walnut.

Lid with brass plaque pierced and engraved with patterns and also with the word “black” for black tea. The letters are in an expertly controlled and yet decorative style, again in the neo-gothic tradition.

Other lid, this time for green tea.

The lids open by a mechanism activated by pressing a button in front of them. Remnants of the original foil are visible.

When thee buttons are pressed the lids spring open.

The bottom of the caddy showing the original cloth and the facings.