Webberley Antiques

Description

A most unusual English Sarcophagus Tea Caddy of monumental size and with four lidded and mahogany lined removable compartments with central mixing well.

The box is completely original and made from a beautifully grained solid Cuban mahogany with rib carved border at top and base and set on short scrolled and ribbed feet. It is large – at least six times the size of a usual tea caddy of this period which may indicate that it was made as a cross between a cellaret and a tea or spice caddy – perhaps for a commercial purpose such as a tea shop as it allows for mixing of very large quantities of loose leaf teas or spices or bottled liquids. Tea was an extremely fashionable and expensive commodity in the 18th century and the boxes which held it were finely made to reflect the value and status of their contents.

Lovely colour and condition, no significant marks and no restorations.

Very rare to find all four canisters in such good order and retaining their original lids.


Dimensions are:

21 inches wide, 14.5 inches deep and 16.5 inches high.

For metric please multiply by 2.5


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