Description:
TC551:  A  fine one compartment inlaid George III Tea Caddy circa 1790  of octagonal form veneered in various woods including stained maple (harewood).  The hinged top and large sides  inlaid with marquetry medallions.  The front cartouche depicts a rose in bud. The top a pattera executed using the hot sand method.   The canted corners have blind flute inlay.

Origin: UK Circa: 1790; Materials:

Size: It measures 4.4 inches wide  by 3.7 inches deep and it is 4.8 inches  high including feet: 11.2 cm wide by 9.4 cm deep by12.2 cm high.

Condition: good overall,  working lock and key,  see images.
As each person has different criteria and antiques by their very nature have wear  please enlarge the images and ask for extra information as needed. 

The three dimensional effect of blind flute inlay is achieved by scorching the maple. The light and shade on the design is done by dipping the inlay elements into either hot sand or lead.

 The front cartouche depicts a rose in bud. This is a very unusual motif in that it strives for a naturalistic depiction of a rose. Caddies of this period which are in neoclassical forms are usually decorated with formalized motifs, even if they represent flora.    

The three dimensional effect of the patera inlay is achieved by scorching the maple. 

The light and shade on the design is done by dipping the inlay elements into either hot sand or lead.

The patera motif, in its various forms, was an abstraction of a shallow dish used in the classical world for offering libations.

 

View of the caddy open. The top facings use different wood in the corner which follows the colouring of the inlay.

Inside the caddy retains some of its original leading . There are also remnants of a foil paper which was used in 19th C.  The corner lid support pieces, which could be removed, are a 19th C addition. In the 18th Century the inner lid sat on the tea. 

The bottom of the caddy has mitered boxwood facings. the green felt is a later replacement.