Description

Single Tea Caddy Compartment

From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to bring to market this Antique French Boulle Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of square shape with slight bombe form featuring beautifully cast ormolu mask mounts possibly Bacchus with raised scrollwork feet. The body of the Tea Caddy is finished with red tortoiseshell and engraved brass scrollwork inlay with matched the lid which is finished with a slightly raised pagoda type top. The interior of the Tea Caddy is complete with a rosewood single lidded compartment with brass stringing and a turned handle covering the silver foil lined caddy compartment. The French Boulle Tea Caddy dates to the late 19th century and the beginning of the Belle Epoque period circa 1870.

Measurements (Inches) 5.5 High x 6.1 Square

Boulle is a rich marquetry process or inlay perfected by renowned French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle (1642–1732). It involves veneering furniture with sheets of tortoiseshell which have been meticulously inlaid with brass and/or pewter in elaborate designs, often incorporating arabesques.

Ormolu a technique of applying ground, high-carat gold–mercury to an object of bronze. The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold coating. The French refer to this technique as bronze doré and in English it is often referred to as gilt bronze. It is a finishing technique which adds an overall gold look to any object without the massive cost and impracticality of making an object out of solid gold. Mercury was outlawed in the 1830’s in France however it was still used until the early 1900s.

Tortoiseshell describes a type of decorative material made from the shells of certain species of sea turtles. The shells of these turtles are composed of a hard, glossy substance called keratin, which can be cut and shaped into a variety of decorative items. Tortoiseshell has been used for centuries to make a range of decorative objects, including combs, brush handles, and other small items. It is also sometimes used to make tea caddies, as it is strong, durable, and can be polished to a high shine. The term “tortoiseshell” is used to describe these decorative items, even though they are made from the shells of sea turtles because the term has been used historically to refer to this material.

If you are purchasing Tortoiseshell or Ivory pieces and are outside the E.U. you must have a CITES certificate in order to import the item into your country. We can obtain these on your behalf at a cost of £50 and these can take up to 14 working days to arrive at our office. Due to the strict exporting rules of these pieces, they may also come with further shipping costs. Please ensure you contact us prior to purchase for a quote.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information