Hampton Antiques

EARLY RED TORTOISESHELL & IVORY TEA CADDY (c. 1740 Netherlands)

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A superb rare example of an early Dutch Tea Caddy

A superb rare example of an early Dutch Tea Caddy, veneered in ebony with red Tortoiseshell panels and ivory inlay. The ebony lid has a tortoiseshell circle in the middle with an ivory inlaid floral design on all four edges, ivory stringing and an ornate brass ring handle. The front of the tea caddy has the same design as the lid with a brass escutcheon. Both sides of the tea caddy has a similar design with a square tortoiseshell panel with vory inlaid floral design surrounded by ebony. The canted corners have a “teardrop” type design in tortoiseshell inlaid with ivory. The back has two square tortoiseshell panels with ivory stringing and ivory dots in all four corners. There is further tortoiseshell decoration with ivory stringing on the front, sides and back of the lid.


The interior of this red Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy has two compartments for storing tea each compartment has fitted lids with brass handles.


Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy comes with a key & non functional lock.