Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Description This Regency Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy dates to the early nineteenth century, circa 1815. The tea caddy is formed in an octagonal pagoda shape with shaped sides, a sloping lid and a flared plinth base. The exterior is veneered in tortoiseshell and finished with fine silver stringing to the extremities. The base is raised on silvered ball feet and the lid is centred with a vacant initial plaque. Opening the tea caddy reveals a fitted interior with twin storage compartments faced in ivory. Each compartment retains a tortoiseshell veneered lid surmounted by a turned ivory handle. A particularly attractive Regency tortoiseshell tea caddy displaying strong colour and pattern to the veneers and a well proportioned octagonal form. View the full Tea Caddy Collection. Mark Goodger Antiques has handled Georgian, Regency and Victorian tea caddies for decades, covering examples in tortoiseshell, pressed horn, burr woods, fruitwood, japanned surfaces, Tunbridge ware and silver. Our stock regularly includes sarcophagus forms, bombe shapes, novelty fruit caddies and rare interior configurations. Through continued study of construction methods, veneer combinations, period inlay techniques and interior composition, we place particular emphasis on authenticity and correct attribution. Understanding which materials were used together, how interiors were finished, and how hinges and mounts were constructed is essential when assessing genuine eighteenth and nineteenth century tea caddies. Tortoiseshell  Tortoiseshell is a decorative material historically produced from the shell of the hawksbill sea turtle. The material is composed of keratin, the same natural substance found in horn, and can be heated, shaped and polished to produce a rich translucent surface with mottled tones of amber, brown and dark honey. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries tortoiseshell was widely used in fine decorative objects including boxes, tea caddies, snuff boxes and dressing table items. The material could be worked as veneer, inlaid with metals or other materials, and polished to a deep glossy finish which enhanced its distinctive colour and pattern. If you are purchasing Tortoiseshell or Ivory pieces and are outside the E.U. you must have a CITES certificate in order to import the item into your country. We can obtain these on your behalf at a cost of £50 and these can take up to 14 working days to arrive at our office. Due to the strict exporting rules of these pieces, they may also come with further shipping costs. Please ensure you contact us prior to purchase for a quote. 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.