What were georgian inlaid tea boxes used for?

These vessels served to store precious tea leaves safely under lock and key in wealthy households, protecting the expensive commodity from dampness and theft. Tea was a luxury item in the eighteenth century, requiring secure storage inside specialised caddies that often included internal mixing bowls and lidded canisters.

How do I tell a Georgian caddy from a Regency one?

Georgian pieces often favour lighter satinwood veneers with delicate shell or star inlays and rectangular, oval or octagonal shapes. Regency examples frequently adopt sarcophagus forms in dark rosewood with bold brass inlay and lion mask ring handles. Cabinetmaking styles shifted from the restrained neoclassical lines of the late eighteenth century to bolder, heavier classical revival forms in the early nineteenth century.

How should I clean a wooden tea caddy?

Dust the exterior gently with a dry, soft cloth to prevent accumulation in the crevices of the inlay and around brass mounts. Avoid modern polishes and water, utilising micro-crystalline wax very sparingly only when the timber appears dry. Protect the antique finish by keeping the box away from direct sunlight and strong fluctuations in household humidity.

Are the interiors usually original?

Many surviving pieces retain their original divided wooden compartments, foil linings or small interior lids with tiny knobs. Some examples have lost internal mixing bowls or canisters over the centuries as the functional use of the boxes changed.