George III Satinwood Tea Caddy

Country: English

Date: Circa 1780 - 1790

Medium: Satinwood

Dimensions

Height: 13.00cm (5.12 inches)

Width: 20.00cm (7.87 inches)

Depth: 12.00cm (4.72 inches)

Main description

A George III 18th century Hepplewhite period tea caddy.

The tea caddy is made in satinwood cross banded in tulipwood with a chequer banding and a boxwood edging with a pollard burr walnut veneer inlaid as oval medallions on each quarter veneered face. The oval medallions are banded with a ‘barber’ style inlay.

The tea caddy lid is fitted with an ‘axe’ head handle which is original and the lid opens to reveal two tea caddy compartments. The inlaid lids to the compartments show the original colour the caddy would have been when first made. The inside of the lid is the original green baize.

The caddy is finished on all five sides and is a beautiful box.

View the complete Freshfords Objet d’art collection.

---

What is a Tea Caddy? 

In the 18th century during the reign of George III, tea was a costly luxury imported from China and heavily taxed by the British Crown. Because a single pound of tea leaves could cost a servant several weeks of wages, it was treated as a precious commodity. The tea caddy, taking its name from the Asian unit of weight katty, served as a secure locking box kept strictly under lock and key by the mistress of the house. This prevented household servants from stealing or tampering with the leaves.

Typically crafted from fine woods such as mahogany and satinwood, or tortoiseshell, these caddies were displayed prominently in drawing rooms as clear symbols of wealth and social standing. Inside, lead lined compartments protected black and green teas from light and moisture, whilst larger boxes featured a central glass mixing bowl where the hostess would personally blend the leaves for her guests.

What Is Satinwood?

Satinwood is a highly decorative hardwood recognised for its bright golden colouring and natural lustre. It became one of the defining cabinet making timbers of the late Georgian and Regency periods, particularly for veneers, cross banding and marquetry.

For further information, see our Woods encyclopaedia on Satinwood.

What Is Tulipwood?

Tulipwood is a highly decorative exotic hardwood recognised for its pinkish colouring and fine striped grain. It was widely used during the Georgian and Regency periods for cross banding, stringing, marquetry and decorative veneers, often providing contrast against mahogany, satinwood and kingwood.

For further information, see our Woods encyclopaedia on Tulipwood.

What Is Boxwood?

Boxwood is an exceptionally dense hardwood traditionally used for fine stringing, inlay, banding and decorative detailing. Its pale colour and ability to hold crisp detail made it particularly popular with Georgian and Regency cabinet makers, where it was often used to contrast darker timbers such as mahogany and satinwood.

For further information, see our Woods encyclopaedia on Boxwood.

What Is the George III Period?

The George III period (1760-1820) is widely regarded as one of the finest periods of English furniture making. Influenced by designers such as Thomas Chippendale, George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton, furniture from the period is recognised for its elegant proportions, high quality cabinet making and the widespread use of mahogany, satinwood and other fine timbers.

For further information, see our Antique Furniture Periods encyclopaedia on the Georgian Period.

---

Why Buy From Freshfords Antiques?

Established in 1987, Freshfords Antiques has spent nearly four decades sourcing and curating the finest examples of English antique furniture. Our reputation is built upon a deep-rooted specialism in the Georgian and Regency periods, where we focus on selecting pieces that retain their genuine age, original patination, and unimpeachable authenticity. We believe that an antique should not only be a significant historical object but also a functional and beautiful addition to a contemporary home.

As proud members of the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA), we operate under a rigorously enforced code of conduct that prioritises professional integrity and expertise. Membership of BADA is only granted after a thorough election procedure and is subject to annual review, ensuring that our clients can purchase with complete confidence. When you acquire a piece from Freshfords, you are benefiting from a wealth of experience, a dedication to craftsmanship, and a commitment to preserving the heritage of the finest English cabinet making.