What is inside a brass inlay caddy?

These boxes typically contain two or three lidded wooden canisters or foil-lined compartments designed to keep different tea leaves dry and fragrant. Some examples also retain a central glass mixing bowl used to combine leaf grades before brewing. Secondary inserts like removable trays or small wells for sugar and spoons also appear in larger Regency and Victorian pieces.

How do I date a brass inlay caddy?

Dating relies on timber choice, carcass shape, and the style of the brass ornamentation. Georgian and early Regency boxes often feature straight-sided mahogany with restrained stringing, while later Regency and Victorian examples lean towards rosewood sarcophagus forms with bold brass inlay. Construction details, such as the type of hinges, lock mechanisms, and internal lining papers, provide further clues to the decade of manufacture.

Were these boxes locked?

Tea was an expensive and heavily taxed commodity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, making security essential for domestic storage. Most boxes feature a functional brass lock on the front operated by a small key. Servants were typically excluded from accessing the tea supply, so the mistress of the house kept the key on her person or in a safe place.

How do I care for rosewood and brass?

Keep the timber away from direct sunlight and steady heat sources to prevent the rosewood veneers from drying, warping, or cracking. Maintain a stable room humidity to stop the wood from expanding and causing the brass inlay to lift from its channels. Dust gently with a dry, soft cloth and avoid commercial polishes that leave a silicone buildup over the timber and metal.