How were these boxes used?

Households kept luxury tea locked securely inside these containers to protect expensive commodities from household staff and damp air. Owners opened the caddy in the drawing room to measure leaves into a teapot while utilising the central glass bowl to dilute infusions.

How do I date a tea box?

Dating relies on observing structural proportions, decorative styles and construction methods associated with specific nineteenth-century design periods. Georgian and Regency examples frequently display bold brass inlay and sarcophagus profiles, whereas Victorian versions often incorporate elaborate mosaic work or simpler rectangular forms.

How do I care for rosewood?

Maintain these wooden pieces by keeping them away from direct sunlight and sudden temperature shifts that cause timber shrinkage. Apply a minimal amount of appropriate furniture wax occasionally to preserve the natural lustre of the dark grain.