London Sterling Silver Caddy
A London sterling silver caddy brings the refined ritual of the tea table into your home with enduring metalwork.
London Sterling Silver Caddy
When you search for a london sterling silver caddy, you are looking at small containers and spoons designed for storing and serving tea leaves. The selections range from early Georgian boxes to Edwardian and later twentieth-century pieces.
You are most likely to meet two distinct forms on this page: small tea caddies for leaf storage and caddy spoons shaped for measuring. The evidence shows these items spanning periods from the eighteenth century through to the 1930s.
How they were made
The pieces recorded in the archive and current listings are formed entirely from sterling silver. Makers shaped these items using traditional smithing techniques suited to both intricate spoons and larger tea containers.
Assay office marks from London validate the metal standard across the periods shown. Construction relies on solid silver fabrication without relying on mixed metals or base metal cores.
London Sterling Silver Caddy Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for london sterling silver caddy among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
The listings span the eighteenth century through to the 1930s, featuring both solid silver tea caddies and matching spoons.
What varies in quality
Quality separates through the crispness of the chased or engraved decoration upon the silver surface. Stronger examples retain sharp detail in their hallmarks and structural motifs.
The thickness of the metal and the integrity of hinges on box lids distinguish everyday items from finer workshop output. Maker attribution, such as identified silversmiths, also elevates certain pieces above standard production.
George Wintle·Edward Barnard and Sons Ltd
The London Sterling Silver Caddy Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver by mass and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper. This standard underpins every item catalogued in the evidence.
- Caddy spoon
- A small spoon specifically proportioned for scooping loose tea leaves from a caddy into a teapot. Many examples display shovel bowls or shell-shaped terminals.
- Tea caddy
- A vessel used to store tea leaves safely away from moisture and light. Early versions often feature secure lids and decorative foot mounts.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied by an assay office to indicate the purity of a precious metal. London hallmarks confirm the origin and silver standard of these pieces.
London Sterling Silver Caddy: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a london sterling silver caddy used for?
These items were historically made to store and measure loose tea leaves during periods when tea was an expensive commodity requiring careful household management.
Today, collectors use them to display traditional silver craftsmanship or incorporate them into modern dining arrangements.
How do I identify the date of my silver caddy?
You can determine the age by examining the stamped hallmarks which include date letters specific to the London assay office.
The style and period, whether Georgian, Regency, or Edwardian, also offer clear visual clues to the era of manufacture.
Are caddy spoons different from regular teaspoons?
Caddy spoons feature shorter handles and wider, shallower bowls designed specifically for reaching inside narrow tea canisters.
Their varied shapes, from hands to shells, reflect the decorative tastes of different design periods.
How should I care for antique silver caddies?
Maintain the metal by gently cleaning with a soft cloth to remove dust without wearing down the engraved details or hallmarks.
Store them in stable environments away from excessive humidity to preserve the finish of the sterling silver.