Sold 14 October 2025 · Michael Johnson Antiques

This “Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy 1850” found a buyer.

It was listed by Michael Johnson 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

Floral Inlaid Box Inlaid Wood Caddy Mosaic Inlaid Box Ask the dealer for something similar

Description

A prime example of a tunbridge ware tea caddy. In a super condition it’s covered in tunbridge ware with the main focus being the Eridge Castle amongst floral patterns. It dates early Victorian 1850 and comes with a fully functioning lock and key.

Materials;

Tunbridge ware

Age;

1850

Size;

Length; 2.5cm

Width; 11.5cm

Height; 11.5cm

Reference Number; 7186b

Date of Manufacture

Michael Johnson Antiques has dated this Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions

Height

11.5cm (4.53")

Width

11.5cm (4.53")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA965816

Dealers Internal Reference

7186b

Dealers Notes

Check us out at michael Johnson antiques for more information.

Description

A prime example of a tunbridge ware tea caddy.

“

In a super condition it’s covered in tunbridge ware with the main focus being the Eridge Castle amongst floral patterns.

Michael Johnson Antiques

It dates early Victorian 1850 and comes with a fully functioning lock and key.

Materials;

Tunbridge ware

Age;

1850

Size;

Length; 2.5cm

Width; 11.5cm

Height; 11.5cm

Reference Number; 7186b

Date of Manufacture

Michael Johnson Antiques has dated this Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions

Height

11.5cm (4.53")

Width

11.5cm (4.53")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA965816

Dealers Internal Ref

7186b

About the Dealer

Michael Johnson Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2014

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Michael Johnson Antiques Profile Page

PDF

SAVE

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid.

1 / 10

Archive I

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy 1850

Archive II

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View II

Archive III

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View III

Archive IV

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View IV

Archive V

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View V

Archive VI

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View VI

Archive VII

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View VII

Archive VIII

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View VIII

Archive IX

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View IX

Archive X

A rectangular Victorian Tunbridge Ware tea caddy featuring intricate floral mosaic inlay across the front and lid. View X

Michael Johnson Antiques

Telephone 07985 789 670

Location

Ashford
Middlesex
South West London
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/michaelj

Verified Since Dec 2014

Items For Sale 42

Items Sold 1,494

Email Michael Johnson Antiques

Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy 1850

Ref: SA965816

Your Name

Phone Number

Email Address

Message

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Cataloguer’s Note

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectTea Caddies
Period19th century
StyleVictorian
MaterialRosewood, Various Inlaid Timbers
ColourDark Brown
MotifsFloral mosaic inlay, Geometric banding, Lidded compartment
SizeH 11.5 cm (5 in) x W 11.5 cm (5 in) x D 20 cm (8 in)

FAQs

Tunbridge Ware refers to wooden decorative objects, principally small boxes, ornamented with characteristic mosaic veneer or inlaid wood work. The craft reached its peak popularity during the Victorian era in the 19th century in the spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Authentic pieces are constructed using a variety of native and foreign timbers such as rosewood, mahogany, and walnut. The key technique involves assembling thousands of tiny, individually coloured wooden blocks into a mosaic pattern, which is then sliced thinly and applied as a veneer.

Authenticity is identified by the extreme precision of the wood mosaic work, often depicting geometric banding, floral motifs, or panoramic views. Examining the underside, interior linings, and paper labels also helps confirm the period of manufacture.

These decorative containers serve as functional accent pieces on coffee tables, sideboards, or bookshelves. They add warmth, texture, and historical interest when paired with contemporary minimalist or traditional decor.

Preservation requires keeping wooden items out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperature fluctuations to prevent the delicate veneer from cracking or lifting. Dusting with a dry, soft cloth and occasionally applying specialized microcrystalline wax helps maintain the surface finish.