An Extremely Rare And Exceptionally Good Quality English Regency Period Mahogany Tea Caddy, In The Form Of A Serpentine Miniature Sideboard, Having Lift Up Hinged Lid With Attractive Carved Decoration, Enclosing Two Lidded Divisions Flanking Central Cavity, Raised On Original Plinth Base.A rare, elegant and extremely collectable english regency tea caddy, which takes the form of a miniature sideboard, an ingenious way to hide the precious, valuable tea leaves away from any would be thieves.Tea was of course a precious commodity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and only the wealthy could afford it. They therefore generally went to great lengths to ensure that it was kept safely tucked away.At first glance this item appears to actually just be a very good quality piece of regency miniature furniture. Indeed, it would be valuable and collectable in its own right, just as a piece of miniature furniture. However, when the lockable hinged lid is raised it reveals that a...