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ID #SA1162526
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Unique Hand Painted Shell Tea Caddy
Sold by Michael Johnson Antiques
sold SA1162526
Sorry, but this item has been sold.

Michael Johnson Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2014
Browse dealers 42 items
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Id #SA1162526
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Unique Hand Painted Shell Tea Caddy

19th century
Sold 27 January 2026 · Michael Johnson Antiques
This “Unique Hand Painted Shell Tea Caddy” 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.

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Decorative Tea ChestPainted Tea CaddyVintage Caddy Box Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

A charming and unusual single tea caddy dating to around 1890, likely of European (French or German) origin. This delightful piece is decorated with a finely hand-painted shell to the lid, framed within an oval cartouche, giving it a distinctive and rare character.

The box is constructed in a warm-toned wood with fine detailing, including a small diamond-shaped key escutcheon to the front. The interior retains its original fitted lid, designed to keep the precious tea fresh.

This is not a standard example but a unique variation, making it an appealing addition for collectors of antique tea caddies.

Materials:

Hand Painted

Age:

c.1890

Dimensions:

Length: 13.5cm

Width: 10cm

Height: 13.5cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
13.5cm (5.31")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Depth
13.5cm (5.31")
Declaration

Michael Johnson Antiques has dated this Painted Shell Tea Caddy to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1162526
Dealers Internal Reference
7838b
Dealers Notes

Check us out at michael Johnson antiques for more information.

Description
A charming and unusual single tea caddy dating to around 1890, likely of European (French or German) origin.
“
This delightful piece is decorated with a finely hand-painted shell to the lid, framed within an oval cartouche, giving it a distinctive and rare character.
Michael Johnson Antiques
fig 1. A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon.
fig 1. Unique Hand Painted Shell Tea Caddy

The box is constructed in a warm-toned wood with fine detailing, including a small diamond-shaped key escutcheon to the front. The interior retains its original fitted lid, designed to keep the precious tea fresh.

fig 2. A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon.
fig 2. Unique Hand Painted Shell Tea Caddy

This is not a standard example but a unique variation, making it an appealing addition for collectors of antique tea caddies.

Materials:

Hand Painted

Age:

c.1890

Dimensions:

Length: 13.5cm

Width: 10cm

Height: 13.5cm

Height
13.5cm (5.31")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Depth
13.5cm (5.31")
Date of Manufacture

Michael Johnson Antiques has dated this Painted Shell Tea Caddy to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1162526
Dealers Internal Ref
7838b
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

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SAVE
A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 13
Archive I A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Unique Hand Painted Shell Tea Caddy

Archive II A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View II
Archive III A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View III
Archive IV A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View IV
Archive V A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View V
Archive VI A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View IX
Archive X A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View X
Archive XI A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View XI
Archive XII A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View XII
Archive XIII A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View

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
Michael Johnson Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: Ashford, Middlesex, South West London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/michaelj
Verified
Dec 2014
For Sale
42
Sold
1,494
A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon.
Unique Hand Painted Shell Tea Caddy
Ref: SA1162526
A rectangular dark wooden tea caddy featuring a hand-painted shell motif within an oval medallion on the lid and a central brass keyhole escutcheon.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTea Caddies
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRegency
  • MaterialWood, Gesso, Pigment
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsShell illustration, Oval medallion, Stringing inlay
  • SizeH 13.5 cm (5 in) x W 10 cm (4 in) x D 13.5 cm (5 in)

FAQs

A tea caddy is a small container designed to store dry tea leaves securely. Originally introduced in the 17th century when tea was an expensive luxury, these boxes often featured lockable lids to protect the valuable contents.

Traditional tea caddies were typically constructed from fine timbers such as mahogany, rosewood, or tortoiseshell, often featuring intricate veneer work, hand-painted decorations, or brass fittings and interior foil linings.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit period-appropriate joinery, hand-cut dovetails, genuine patina, and original hardware such as small brass escutcheons or hinges consistent with 18th or 19th-century manufacturing methods.

An antique tea caddy can be displayed closed on a sideboard, console table, or bookshelf to add a touch of historical texture and refined craftsmanship to contemporary living spaces.

Preservation requires keeping the item out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperature fluctuations to prevent the wood or veneer from warping and cracking, applying occasional microcrystalline wax for maintenance.
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