Description

Petit Sized Tea Caddy

From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Tortoiseshell and Silver Tea Caddy by Saunders & Shepherd. The Tea Caddy of squat form made from Tortoiseshell with gently inverted sides with an engraved applied silver mount with the word Tea on the front. The lid of the Tea Caddy is made from Sterling Silver and is hallmarked Sterling, Chester by silversmiths Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings (Frank) Shepherd and dated 1896.

Saunders and Shepherd later known as Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders and James Francis Hollings (C.D.S. & J.F.H.), were a renowned firm of manufacturing jewellers and silver-making company based in London and Chester, UK. The firm operated from 1869 until 1931 and was particularly famous for its intricate designs and quality craftsmanship. Saunders and Shepherd produced a wide range of luxury silver items, including tea caddies, tableware, and decorative objects. The company was well-known for incorporating different materials into their silverware, such as tortoiseshell and enamel. Their pieces often bore elaborate engravings, embossing, and chasing, and were made using a combination of traditional and modern techniques. The silver hallmarks on their pieces, including those on this petit Silver & Tortoiseshell tea caddy, provide insight into the date, origin, and quality of the silver used in their production. Over the years the firm has had various associations with other companies such as Gay Freres, Eterna, Porsche Design and Fope. Saunders and Shepherd’s work continues to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of antique silverware. At present, the company is situated in the renowned Birmingham jewellery quarter, where it specialises in crafting watch cases and jewellery.

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.

Sterling Silver is an alloy composed by weight of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness (parts per thousand) of 925.

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