Silver Tea Storage Jar
These silver tea storage jar pieces are solid metal vessels crafted to keep leaf tea fresh, offering a touch of period elegance for the kitchen or sideboard.
What these silver tea storage jar examples are
A silver tea storage jar, commonly catalogued as a tea caddy, is a vessel historically used to hold loose tea leaves securely before brewing. The pieces found here span the Victorian, Edwardian and 1940 periods, reflecting traditional English craftsmanship.
How they were made
These items are constructed from sterling silver, with some examples incorporating contrasting materials like ebony for handles or finials. Metalsmiths utilised traditional techniques such as raising, shaping and hammering to form the body of each caddy.
Decoration was frequently applied by hand, seen in the detailed repousse work that creates raised ornamental patterns on the silver surface. Maker marks and assay office hallmarks were then stamped directly into the metal to certify its standard.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for silver tea storage jar, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
Tea was once so costly that caddies were kept under lock and key by the head of the household.
What varies in quality
Quality in these pieces is dictated by the crispness of the hand-chased repousse detail and the structural integrity of the silver body. Superior examples display balanced proportions, clean hallmarks and a weight that reflects substantial metal thickness.
The refinement of the lid fit and the delicacy of any supplementary materials like ebony further distinguish finer items from simpler production. Maker reputation, evidenced by well-known nineteenth and twentieth-century firms, adds a layer of distinction to the craftsmanship.
Ernest Druiff & Co·Atkin Brothers
The Silver Tea Storage Jar Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper, ensuring durability for functional items. This standard is universally marked on British wares.
- Repousse
- A metalworking technique where the metal is hammered from the reverse side to create a raised design in relief on the front. It requires considerable skill to achieve even depth and fine detail.
- Bombe
- A bulging or convex shape, often seen in furniture and silver vessels of the nineteenth century. This rounded profile gives the container a substantial and decorative appearance.
- Caddy
- A small box or jar used for storing tea, derived from the Malay word kati, a unit of weight. These containers often featured secure lids to preserve the aroma of expensive leaves.
- Hallmark
- A series of official marks stamped on items made of precious metals in the United Kingdom. It authenticates the purity of the metal, the assay office and the year of production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silver tea storage jar?
A silver tea storage jar is a metal container designed to hold loose tea leaves securely while preserving their flavour and aroma.
Historically, these pieces sat on formal tables or inside tea chests, reflecting the high status of tea as a commodity in British homes.
How do I date a silver tea caddy?
You can date these items by examining the official hallmarks stamped into the silver, which include a specific letter code for the year.
Additional clues come from the overall style, such as the curved lines of Victorian repousse work or the cleaner geometric shapes of later decades.
How do I clean antique silver?
Cleaning requires a soft cloth and a specialised silver polish, applied gently to avoid rubbing away fine hand-engraved details or repousse relief.
Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners that can scratch the metal surface and diminish the historic character of the piece.