A burr yew  three compartment tea caddy/chest of bombe shape, pyramided top with gilded brass drop ring handles handles and feet.

Circa 1820.

 

It measures  12 inches wide  by  6.25 inches deep and it is 7 inches  high including feet:  

310cm wide by 16cm deep by 18cm high.

 

 

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The grain of burr yew is very recognizable. 

The swirls of grain surrounding the burr  showing the annual growth, although a darker  color, are not unlike those in pine or spruce  -- or giant redwood -- called wellingtonia in the UK.

The burr is branches which never happened.

Yew has long been a favored cabinet makers wood. Yew is native to the UK.

Curiously although very hard it is classified as a softwood; this is because it does not loose its leaves in winter.

Yew is very resilient. it has been used for both lute ribs and longbows. It has a golden colored sapwood which unlike most sapwood is considered good for cabinet work. 

The patch to the top left of the front may be original to the construction. It would be an exercise of great skill and much sawing to create the panels for a chest such as this. The most highly/attractively figured  would be used for  the top and front.

The drop handles still have some of their gilding.

There is some veneer cracking which does not affect the structural integrity.

 

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The bowl like the caddy is in the typical form. This is deeply cut.

This bowl is the original heavy hand blown crystal mixing bowl. 

The lift out canisters have some of their original leading. The facings are golden colored maple or perhaps yew-sapwood.

The grain pattern of the yew on the canister lids is almost pine like.

The back of the lid is lined with ruched velvet.