Regency Architectural Pressed Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

Description

This Regency Architectural Pressed Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, dating to circa 1815, is of bombe form with a flared base, canted corners and a pagoda top.

The exterior is finished with silver stringing and features a rare pressed architectural design across the front, sides and rear. A rectangular vacant silver initial plaque is mounted to the lid above a matching silver escutcheon, while the tea caddy stands upon four silver ball feet.

Opening the tea caddy reveals an interior faced in tortoiseshell, fitted with two tortoiseshell veneered tea compartment lids, each with a turned bone handle. The tea caddy retains its rare pressed architectural decoration throughout.

View the full Tea Caddy Collection.

Mark Goodger Antiques has handled Georgian, Regency and Victorian tea caddies for decades, covering examples in tortoiseshell, pressed horn, burr woods, fruitwood, japanned surfaces, Tunbridge ware and silver. Our stock regularly includes sarcophagus forms, bombe shapes, novelty fruit caddies and rare interior configurations.

Through continued study of construction methods, veneer combinations, period inlay techniques and interior composition, we place particular emphasis on authenticity and correct attribution. Understanding which materials were used together, how interiors were finished, and how hinges and mounts were constructed is essential when assessing genuine eighteenth and nineteenth century tea caddies.

Measurements

15cm High x 20cm Wide x 13cm Deep (5.9 x 7.9 x 5.12 Inches)

What is Pressed Tortoiseshell?

Crafted during the Regency period around 1805 to 1825, pressed tortoiseshell leverages the unique natural properties of keratin, the protein component of Hawksbill sea turtle shell. Unlike traditional timbers, keratin becomes pliable when subjected to boiling salt water and heat. Craftsmen softened raw plates of shell and compressed them under immense hydraulic or screw-press pressure into two-part engraved steel dies. As the shell cooled within the steel molds, the keratin re-hardened, permanently fixing the crisp, relief-molded decoration directly into the surface.

This specific caddy reflects the widespread British obsession with classical antiquity following the Grand Tour and the arrival of the Elgin Marbles in London. The exterior showcases an intricate classical temple facade complete with fluted columns and pediments, framed by fine silver or pewter stringing to accentuate its architectural lines. Elevated on silvered ball feet, such pieces are exceptionally scarce due to the technical difficulty of the press-moulding process, where incorrect temperatures easily scorched or shattered the shell, combined with the rarity of finding surviving examples that have not warped over two centuries.

What is Tortoiseshell?

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 UK 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 30 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.

What is the Regency Period? 

The regency period is an era of British history between 1811 and 1820. The Regency era was initiated by King George III first suffered a debilitating illness in the late 1780s. He relapsed into his mental illness in 1810 and by the Regency Act in 1811 his eldest son George, Prince of Wales, was appointed prince regent to discharge royal functions. When George III died in 1820, the Prince Regent succeeded him as George IV.

Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques?

With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide.

Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality.

Your purchase is fully insured during transit and protected by our straightforward money back guarantee, allowing you to buy with complete confidence. We pride ourselves on transparency, expertise, and long term relationships with our clients, many of whom return to us repeatedly over decades.

When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.

Additional information