How do I date a silver tea box?

Dating relies heavily on the assay office hallmarks stamped directly onto the metal surface, which indicate the exact year of production. Style, maker marks, and period characteristics such as Georgian fluting or Edwardian proportions also help narrow down the decade.

How were these boxes used originally?

These boxes served to store expensive tea leaves securely under lock and key in grand dining rooms and drawing rooms. Servants typically kept the tea locked away because dry tea was a valuable commodity in eighteenth and nineteenth-century households.

How do I care for engraved silver?

Maintain the piece by dusting gently and using specialised silver polish sparingly to avoid wearing down the delicate engraved lines. Store the box in a stable environment away from extreme humidity to protect internal elements like velvet, silk, or wood linings.