A Georgian mahogany three compartment tea chest of typical oblong form having a central mixing/sugar bowl flanked by two lift out canisters with raised hinged oval tops.

Circa 1790.

It measures 12 inches wide  by 6  inches deep and it is  6 inches  high: 30.5 cm wide by 15 cm deep by 15 cm high.

(featured at Figure 330 of our book) 

The central Sheffield plate handle is is typical of this period  and has left its mark on the wood. 

The curl or ripple of the quartered mahogany is clearly visible.

This chest is featured at Figure 330 in

Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885  Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..

 

The canisters are particularly elaborate. The oval hinged lid is raised. The flat part is made of four mitered pieces and the whole is edged with boxwood.

The facings are also boxwood.

The figure of the mahogany is called "fiddle back". This figure occurs when a wedge is split out from a log. It is on the quarter. The pattern which can be seen is called "curl". Wood cut on the quarter is very stable from irregular warping, which is why luthiers used this cut for fiddle backs.