Description

Fabulous shaped regency Tea Chest attributed to George & Thomas Seddon veneered in the most stunning and carved figured coromandel with two lidded removable caddies and original glass mixing bowl.

This fabulous Tea Chest by Seddon stands on solid turned ebony bun feet and comes complete with fully working lock and tasselled key.

THE HISTORY OF ANTIQUE TEA CADDIES

In England in the 1700s, tea was an expensive commodity. To keep it safe, people would store it in a lockable Tea Chest or Tea Box, which eventually became known as a Tea Caddy (the word caddy is derived from the Malay “kati”, a unit of weight by which tea was sold). As tea was too expensive to risk leaving in the presence of servants, the caddy would be kept in the drawing room. Subsequently, the Tea Caddy became an important & fashionable accessory for the home.

Tea Caddies were made in a huge variety of styles and materials. Some contained glass bowls. The bowl is believed to be either for sugar, or for the purpose of mixing different varieties of tea to the drinker’s personal taste.

As tea became cheaper in the early 1800s, its use was much more widespread, increasing the demand for tea caddies. However, by the late 1800s when tea could be bought pre-packed, the demand for tea caddies as functional items gradually declined.

Today Tea Caddies are sought after as decorative pieces, in all shapes & forms.

Created By:
THOMAS & GEORGE SEDDON (worked from 1815)
GEORGE SEDDON (c.1727-c.1801)