Northwestern Europe, England, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. This is a very handsome tea caddy, made from wood that is almost entirely covered with tortoiseshell veneers, elephant ivory, tin, brass, and a velvet lining. The rectangular body rests on bun shaped feet, and the domed lid opens on a hinge to reveal the 2 interior compartments that are both covered with removable lids and an ivory knobbed handle. The interior of the lid is lined with red velvet and the compartments are lined with a thin tin sheet that would help preserve the tea from moisture; the interior rim of the lid and box is also inlaid with ivory. When this caddy was made, tea was a commodity of the elite and wealthy - being an expensive import from Asia - and the appearance of these luxurious tea caddies became social symbols that were inspired from Chinese canisters of silver, ivory, and other precious materials. Size: 7" L x 4.35" W x 5" H (17.8 cm x 11 cm x 12.7 cm)

Several states and countries prohibit the importation of materials from endangered species, including tortoise shell / sea turtle shell. Please check your country’s laws before bidding on this piece. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1973.

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.

Provenance: private Evergreen, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Denver, Colorado, USA, collection, acquired 1960 to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168654

Fair condition. Chipping and losses to shell veneers on lid, and losses to wood beneath on the left corner and periphery. Loosening of velvet and losses to tin lining. Missing one back foot, and the caddy is slightly unbalanced. Two feet are repaired from several pieces and reattached but are slightly loose and delicate.