Description This antique fruit tea caddy is turned in sycamore and modelled as a natural apple, dating to circa 1800. Carved in a rounded form with a naturalistic button stalk to the top, closely echoing the shape of the original fruit. The surface has developed a warm colour over time with subtle traces of red blush, consistent with early nineteenth century sycamore. The caddy retains its original steel escutcheon to the front with matching hinge to the rear. When opened, the interior shows traces of the original silver foil lining, traditionally used to preserve the freshness of tea. Fruit tea caddies were produced as both functional and decorative objects, reflecting the importance of tea drinking within the home at the turn of the nineteenth century. Their sculptural forms make them particularly desirable to collectors. A well preserved example of an early treen tea caddy with strong colour and form. View the full Tea Caddy collection. Breaking Myths It is commonly believed that the the Fruit Tea Caddies are made from fruitwood and are of English original however they are in actually made from Sycamore wood and are Continental. Sycamore also known as Harewood is a member of the Maple family, found in Europe. It is light yellow in colour and is often a very clean wood, with a straight, fine grain. The wood is often pippy. However, these pips are usually a very similar colour to the rest of the wood making them hardly visible. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Sycamore wood. Treen is a generic name for smaller handmade household objects made specifically of wood. Treen is distinct from furniture including clocks and is specific to smaller items such as snuff boxes and smaller novelty pieces such as this Tea Caddy. Until the late 17th century the majority of household items such as boxes and tableware were carved from wood and it wasn’t until the end of the Renaissance that silver, pewter, and ceramics objects started to become introduced into society. The longevity of wooden objects was extremely low compared to the newer materials that were introduced and therefore collectors find Treen objects highly desirable due to their rarity, clean examples such as this Tea Caddy are rare to find in good untouched condition from these earlier periods. Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques? With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide. Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality. Your purchase is fully insured during transit and protected by our straightforward money back guarantee, allowing you to buy with complete confidence. We pride ourselves on transparency, expertise, and long term relationships with our clients, many of whom return to us repeatedly over decades. When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.
