George III Silver Tea Caddy, England 1786.

Object Description

A very elegant antique silver tea caddy of oval form with a hinged lid and cast pineapple finial. Beautifully hand engraved with bands of bright cut engraving and classical ribbon and swag decoration. A telltale sign of quality is the flush inset hinge on the lid. To the front is a decorative cartouche containing the initial “C” in old fashioned script.

Weight 390g, 12.5 troy oz.
Height 14.5, 5.7ins (to finial). Box height 10cm, top 13.4 x 9.8 cm. London 1786. Maker Thomas Daniell.
Sterling silver.

An unusual feature is the maker’s address stamped underneath – “Silver Lyon, Foster Lane”.

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

Maker: Thomas Daniell

Thomas Daniell, London silversmith, son of Jabez Daniell, free by patrimony 1771 as goldsmith. Livery 1771. 1st mark unrecorded, entered with his father c.1771. 2nd and 3rd marks alone 1774/75. 4th mark in partnership with John Wall 1781. 5th and 6th marks alone 1783/83. Died between 1795 and 1801.
Heal records Daniell working alone at the Silver Lion, 20 Foster Lane, 1782-93 and some of his pieces bear the unusual feature of his address being stamped alongside his maker’ mark.

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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. Small signs of wear commensurate with age. The lock is untested and there is no key.

Object Details