What were tea caddies used for?

Tea caddies served to store expensive black and green teas safely under lock and key in the Georgian household. Servants or homeowners dispensed the leaves for each pot to control consumption. Many examples contain two internal compartments for different tea varieties, sometimes accompanied by a central glass bowl for blending.

Dating relies on timber choice, construction methods, and the style of the inlay. Georgian pieces often employ satinwood and mahogany, while Victorian boxes frequently incorporate tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl. Examining secondary woods inside, such as pine or oak drawer linings, provides further clues regarding the decade of manufacture.

Pique work is a decorative technique where gold or silver pins and strips are embedded directly into tortoiseshell. Artisans heated the metal to press it securely into the organic material. This method produced delicate starry patterns and borders on luxury trinket boxes and small writing cases.

Are interiors usually original?

Interiors vary in their degree of survival, with many tea caddies missing their original glass mixing bowls or inner canister lids. Finding a complete set of matching internal components is uncommon. Original velvet or silk linings in jewellery and sewing boxes also show wear consistent with their age and use.