A Delightful And Charming Late 18th Century George III Period Harewood Tea Caddy, With Various Strung Decorations Throughout, The Two Oval Panels With Marquetry Inlaid Outer Borders And Rare Blackthorn Figured Centres, The Hinged Domed Lid Enclosing Two Further Inlaid Lids With Original Turned Knobs Enclosing Storage Compartments.

This really is a very attractive little Georgian tea caddy, having good colour and surface throughout, together with some interesting and unusual decorative timbers.

Harewood is a form of sycamore which has been stained, usually in shades of grey, green or brown, and was particularly popular with cabinetmakers during the late 18th century for its attractive colour and fine figuring. Blackthorn is a small, slow-growing native hardwood, more commonly associated with hedgerows and the making of walking sticks. Its beautifully figured timber is only occasionally found in antique furniture, making the oval panels a very interesting feature.

Tea caddies were originally produced for the secure storage of tea, which was an expensive and highly prized commodity during the 18th century. Often beautifully made and decorated, they were intended to be both practical and attractive objects for display within the home, with lockable lids to protect their valuable contents from wandering hands.

This caddy retains its working lock and key and is in very good condition overall, with the usual old marks, scuffs and minor imperfections associated with age and use, all adding to its charm and character.

It has been carefully attended to in our workshops by our skilled traditional antique furniture restorers and received an appropriate natural wax polish, ensuring it is ready to be enjoyed and displayed within the home.

Circa 1790.

Height 5.75in.
Width 7.5in.
Depth 4.5in.