When tea was first introduced to England in the 1700s, it was an expensive commodity. As a means of keeping the tea safe, people used to store it in a Tea Chest or Tea Box, which later became known as a Tea Caddy (the word caddy is derived from the Malay word “Kati”, the unit of weight by which tea was sold).
Tea caddies were generally kept in the drawing room due to the cost of the tea inside, which made leaving them in the presence of servants a risky proposition. As a result, the Tea Caddy became a fundamental and fashionable accessory for the home. Tea Caddies were made in a wide variety of styles, sizes, shapes and materials. Some caddies included glass bowls for sugar (to have inside or with the tea), some of which had been etched or had been superbly cut with beautiful designs. Early in the 1800s, when tea became cheaper, its use became more widespread, resulting in an increase in the demand for tea caddies. In the late 1800s, tea became readily available pre-packaged, so tea caddies as functional items gradually diminished in demand. In today’s society, tea caddies are found in all shapes and materials and are sought after as decorative items.
In purchasing a Tea Caddy / Tea Chest from us, you can be assured that they have been carefully examined and assessed, and only restored where absolutely necessary. Buying a box from us gives you peace of mind that you are buying a genuine antique; our name is also frequently cited as provenance by Major Auction houses.