George III Silver Tea Caddy

Object Description

A very elegant antique silver tea caddy of oval form with a hinged lid. Beautifully hand engraved with bands of bright cut engraving and classical flower and swag decoration. The lid has a flush inset hinge. To the front is a decorative cartouche containing a monogram in old fashioned script.

Weight 399 grams, 12.8 troy ounces.
Height 16cm. Top measures 13.5 x 8.8 cm.
London 1796.
Maker Henry Nutting.
Sterling silver.

‘Registered as exempt under the Ivory Act 2028’. Defra registration 6KJ9D895.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks; lid with lion mark.

Object Literature

Tea in the early 18th Century was expensive, and also there was a tax on tea. so early tea caddies were small and made in precious materials such as silver, shagreen or tortoiseshell which reflected the valuable contents within. Some of the earliest silver examples have sliding bases (or tops) and the cap was used for measuring the tea. By the mid eighteenth century matching sets were available, with two caddies (for green and black tea) and a sugar bowl, all fitted into a wooden or shagreen case, often with silver mounts. During the late 1700’s the locking silver tea caddy was introduced with its own key which the lady of the house kept on the chatelaine around her waist. Double locking tea caddies in silver are rare.

Object Condition

A very clean silver box presented in very good condition. Sharp decoration.

Object Details