Lot Details
Lot 146
George III Sterling Silver Novelty Tea Caddy
Charles Aldridge & Henry Green, London, 1780
In the form of a tea chest, square with panel sides engraved with stylized chop marks and foliate scroll borders, the front panel engraved with an heraldic crest. Height 4 1/4 inches (11 cm), approximately 13 ounces.
This form of tea caddy would have been instantly recognizable in the 18th century as the form of the boxes used to ship tea from China to Europe. In the late 18th century, tea was still an expensive luxury commodity kept locked away from servants, and the most fashionable hostesses served their guests from novelty tea caddies such as this example.
C
Additional Notes & Condition Report
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and Doyle New York shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.
No condition report? Click here to request one.