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George III Period Decagonal Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Sold by John Beazor Antiques
sold SA932695
Sorry, but this item has been sold.

John Beazor Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2017
Browse dealers 63 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in 18th and early 19th century furniture, barometers and clocks - chosen for their quality, colour and patination
  • Trade Associations
    John Beazor Antiques is a registered member of BADA 
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Id #SA932695
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George III Period Decagonal Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

18th century
Sold 12 October 2026 · John Beazor Antiques
This “George III Period Decagonal Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy” found a buyer.

It was listed by John Beazor Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale
18th Century Tea ChestAmber Tortoiseshell BoxGeorgian Tea Canister Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

George III period decagonal tortoiseshell tea caddy with a domed tent-topped lid;  the panels divided by ivory stringing with a silver hinge and top mount.  The interior with two loose lids; key.

Defra self declaration certificate (for the ivory):  WMADLASD

John Beazor Antiques is a family firm, established in 1875 and based in Cambridge since 1940. We are a traditional antiques shop, but very much in the 21st century. We deal in 18th and early 19th century furniture, barometers and clocks. We choose our stock for its originality and for the quality of its colour, patination and design.

We are members of the BADA. We do not exhibit at fairs preferring to deal from our Cambridge shop where we hold Open Weekends from time to time.

Date of Manufacture

John Beazor Antiques has dated this Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy to the Georgian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
11.5cm (4.53")
Width
14cm (5.51")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA932695
Dealers Internal Reference
9719
Description
George III period decagonal tortoiseshell tea caddy with a domed tent-topped lid;  the panels divided by ivory stringing with a silver hinge and top mount.  The interior with two loose lids; key.

Defra self declaration certificate (for the ivory):  WMADLASD

fig 1. A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon.
fig 1. George III Period Decagonal Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

John Beazor Antiques is a family firm, established in 1875 and based in Cambridge since 1940. We are a traditional antiques shop, but very much in the 21st century. We deal in 18th and early 19th century furniture, barometers and clocks. We choose our stock for its originality and for the quality of its colour, patination and design.

We are members of the BADA.

“
We do not exhibit at fairs preferring to deal from our Cambridge shop where we hold Open Weekends from time to time.
John Beazor Antiques
Date of Manufacture

John Beazor Antiques has dated this Georgian Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy to the Georgian era.

Height
11.5cm (4.53")
Width
14cm (5.51")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA932695
Dealers Internal Ref
9719
John Beazor Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2017

Specialists in 18th and early 19th century furniture, barometers and clocks - chosen for their quality, colour and patination

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the John Beazor Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

John Beazor Antiques is a registered member of BADA 

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon. SOLD12 OCT 26
1 / 6
Archive I A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon. SOLD12 OCT 26

George III Period Decagonal Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Archive II A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon. View II
Archive III A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon. View III
Archive IV A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon. View IV
Archive V A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon. View V
Archive VI A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon. View VI
Enlarged Archival View

John Beazor Antiques
Telephone 01223 355178 or 07774 123 379
Location
John Beazor Antiques
78-80 Regent Street
Cambridge
CB2 1DP
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/beazor
Verified Since Sep 2017
Items For Sale 63
Items Sold 530
John Beazor Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: John Beazor Antiques, 78-80 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1DP, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/beazor
Verified
Sep 2017
For Sale
63
Sold
530
A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon.
George III period decagonal tortoiseshell tea caddy
Ref: SA932695
A George III period decagonal tea caddy covered in mottled amber and dark brown tortoiseshell veneer with bone stringing and a small escutcheon.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTea Caddies
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialTortoiseshell, Bone, Silver, Wood
  • ColourWarm Amber and Brown
  • MotifsDecagonal form, bone stringing, keyhole escutcheon, faceted lid
  • SizeH 11.5 cm (5 in) x W 14 cm (6 in) x D 9 cm (4 in)

This George III period tea caddy takes a decagonal form with a domed tent-topped lid. Covered in a mottled tortoiseshell veneer displaying warm amber and dark brown tones, the panels separate via white bone stringing. A silver-plated keyhole escutcheon sits on the front central panel, complementing the metal hinge and top mount visible on the lid. The item measures 11.5 cm high, 14 cm wide and 9 cm deep. Position this decorative box on a sideboard top in a dining room or living space to hold small keepsakes or add a traditional Georgian touch to the room. The polished surface catches the light, highlighting the natural patterning of the shell and the precision of the light stringing that outlines each facet from base to apex.

FAQs

During the eighteenth century, imported tea was an expensive luxury in Western Europe. Secure lockable boxes known as tea caddies were created to store the leaves safely, often crafted from costly materials like tortoiseshell to reflect the social standing of the owner.

These pieces were typically constructed with a lightweight timber core, onto which thin, heated sheets of hawksbill turtle shell were pressed and adhered. Ivory, bone, or silver was frequently used for stringing, edge trim, and keyhole escutcheons.

Authentic period examples generally display natural variations in mottled colour, slight surface irregularities from hand-finishing, and age-appropriate wear around hinges and escutcheons. Period construction often features handmade hinges, paper or foil-lined compartments, and fine ivory or bone inlay.

A tea caddy can be displayed as a singular focal point on a sideboard, desk, or bookshelf. Its rich tones complement minimalist modern backdrops as well as traditional, layered interior schemes.

Tortoiseshell requires protection from direct sunlight, extreme temperature fluctuations, and low humidity, which can cause the shell to dry out or lift from the wood base. Dusting with a soft, dry microfibre cloth is recommended, avoiding harsh chemical cleaners or excess water.
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