What were tea caddies used for?

Tea caddies stored valuable loose-leaf tea under lock and key in Georgian and Victorian households. Servants kept the leaves secure because tea was an expensive commodity. Inside, the boxes typically featured lidded compartments or separate canisters to keep different tea blends dry and fragrant. Some included a central glass bowl for mixing black and green teas.

How do I date an inlaid box?

Dating relies on the combination of timber species, construction methods, hardware, and stylistic motifs. Regency pieces often showcase brass inlay and rosewood, while Victorian examples frequently incorporate mother-of-pearl and walnut. Examining the interior construction, secondary woods, and hinge types also helps narrow down the decade of manufacture. Hand-cut dovetails and original locks offer further clues to the period.

How should I clean a wooden box?

Dust the exterior gently with a dry, soft microfibre cloth to remove surface particles. Avoid liquid cleaners, modern polishes, or harsh solvents that can damage fragile veneers and old French polish. Feed dry timbers occasionally with a specialist microcrystalline wax to preserve the finish. Keep the box away from direct sunlight and radiators to prevent the wood from splitting and the inlay from lifting.

What is Tunbridge ware?

Tunbridge ware is a specialised form of mosaic woodworking that creates detailed pictures using thousands of tiny timber squares. Craftsmen glued natural woods together and sliced them transversely to produce uniform pictorial tiles. These pieces typically depict castles, butterflies, or geometric borders set into the lids of small trinket boxes. The finest examples display remarkable colour variation without using artificial dyes.