Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy, 1830

An Extremely Rare And Exceptionally Good Quality English Regency Period Mahogany Tea Caddy, In The Form Of A Serpentine Miniature Sideboard, Having Lift Up Hinged Lid with Attractive Carved Decoration, Enclosing Two Lidded Divisions Flanking Central Cavity, Raised On Original Plinth Base.

A rare, elegant and extremely collectable english regency tea caddy, which takes the form of a miniature sideboard, an ingenious way to hide the precious, valuable tea leaves away from any would be thieves.

Tea was of course a precious commodity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and only the wealthy could afford it. They therefore generally went to great lengths to ensure that it was kept safely tucked away.

At first glance this item appears to actually just be a very good quality piece of regency miniature furniture. Indeed, it would be valuable and collectable in its own right, just as a piece of miniature furniture. However, when the lockable hinged lid is raised it reveals that actually the piece has compartments made originall for storage of tea.

Overall the condition is excellent and it is of course wonderful quality as one would expect. It has been attended to in our workshops to ensure it is ready for placement straight into the home, or office before being offered for sale and comes with fully working lock and key.

Circa 1830.

Height 9.25in.
Width 16in.
Depth 6in.