Object Description
A fine pair of George III silver Rocco tea caddies by Francis Butty & Nicholas Dumee, dated 1766, housed in a silver mounted shagreen case.
Each of the silver Rocco baluster gadrooned caddies is beautifully worked by silver smiths Francis Butty and Nicholas Dumee, London 1766. Highly decorated with rows of pearls in curved bands and each with an engraved coat of arms in a rocaille cartouche. The shagreen case is raised on fine silver ball and claw feet mounted with open fretwork leaves. To the centre in two parts is a remarkable silver fretwork lockplate with a shaped strap. The box opens on the original decorative stop hinges to reveal the silk-lined velvet interior and pair of silver caddies.
The top is surmounted with a silver oval gadrooned backplate and axe head handle.
Each canister is marked for ”FB ND” on the underside.
Total weight 890 g.
It should be noted that this is an accomplished and highly prised example from the middle of the 18th century.
The term ‘caddy’ is believed to have derived from the word ‘catty’, which is the Chinese equivalent of just over a pound.