Attractive Regency period tortoiseshell bombe tea caddy, the interior with two fitted lids with ivory knobs, four turned ivory bun feet with minor repairs to the corners.
c. 1825
The word Tea Caddy is believed to be derived from catty, the Chinese pound, equal to about a pound and a third avoirdupois. The earliest examples that came to Europe were of Chinese porcelain, and approximated in shape to the ginger-jar. They had lids or stoppers likewise of china, and were most frequently blue and white. Until about 1800 they were called tea canisters rather than caddies.
Height5.50 inch(14.0 cm)
Width7.00 inch(17.8 cm)
Depth4.00 inch(10.2 cm)
Ref No. 5978