Antique Ivory Tea Caddy

Description This Antique Ivory Tea Caddy is formed in an elegant octagonal shape with a tented top and dates to the Regency period circa 1820. Each ivory panel is separated by tortoiseshell and horn stringing, creating strong contrast between the pale ground and the darker divisions. The front is fitted with a shaped escutcheon and a vacant initial plate, while the lid is surmounted by an ornate silver handle and secured with a silver stop hinge. The octagonal form and tented lid are characteristic of early nineteenth century tea caddy design, when ivory tea caddies were produced as both practical storage vessels and refined domestic objects. The interior of this Regency ivory tea caddy retains traces of its original foil lining, consistent with Georgian and Regency tea caddies intended for storing valuable loose leaf tea. A well proportioned antique ivory tea caddy with octagonal form, tortoiseshell and horn stringing, silver mounts and surviving interior lining, dating to circa 1820. 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. This depth of specialism allows collectors to purchase with confidence, whether acquiring a first example or adding to an established collection. Literature The Story of British Tea Chests and Caddies by Anne Stevens, (Part [1].Chapter [4,] Figure [4.37], at the bottom-left of Page [84]). Purchase the book below. UK Overseas Tortoiseshell  describes a type of decorative material made from the shells of certain species of sea turtles. The shells of these turtles are composed of a hard, glossy substance called keratin, which can be cut and shaped into a variety of decorative items. Tortoiseshell has been used for centuries to make a range of decorative objects, including combs, brush handles, and other small items. It is also sometimes used to make tea caddies, as it is strong, durable, and can be polished to a high shine. The term “tortoiseshell” is used to describe these decorative items, even though they are made from the shells of sea turtles because the term has been used historically to refer to this material. If you are purchasing Tortoiseshell or Ivory pieces and are outside the UK 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 30 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. What is the Georgian Period? The Georgian period spans from 1714 to 1830 and covers the reigns of George I, George II, George III and George IV. It was a time of expanding trade, growing wealth and increased demand for domestic luxury goods within Britain. In furniture and decorative objects, Georgian design is associated with balance, proportion and restrained ornament. Influences ranged from Palladian architecture in the early eighteenth century to the neoclassical revival later in the period. Cabinet makers developed increasingly refined veneering techniques, fine inlay work and precise mouldings, while tea wares and storage boxes reflected the social importance of tea drinking within polite society. Tea caddies from the Georgian period were both practical and valuable household objects, designed to store costly imported teas securely while also displaying the owner’s taste and status. 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.