How were tea boxes used in the Georgian period?

Tea was an expensive commodity, so leaves were kept locked inside these boxes by the lady of the house. The interior typically featured divided compartments for different tea varieties and a central glass bowl for blending. Servants brought the caddy to the parlour, where the mistress measured out the leaves before hot water was added from a separate urn.

What is the difference between a tea caddy and a teapoy?

A tea caddy is a portable box designed to sit on a table or sideboard. These containers could be moved easily around the home. A teapoy is a larger tea caddy mounted on its own central pillar and pedestal base, standing independently on the floor.

How do I care for satinwood furniture?

Keep wooden boxes away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent the satinwood veneer from drying out and cracking. Maintain the finish by occasionally applying a pure beeswax polish. Avoid using modern liquid sprays, which can damage the aged French polish or wax surfaces.

How can I tell the period of a box?

Eighteenth-century boxes often favour oval or straight-sided geometric shapes with delicate neoclassical stringing. Regency examples tend towards sarcophagus silhouettes and bolder contrasting veneers like rosewood and ebony. Examining the construction methods and interior paper linings also helps establish the era of manufacture.