A very unusual shell shaped tea caddy, the exterior laminated with blond tortoise shell panels, and enhanced by ivory and silver elements. The hinged lid is lined with red cloth on the underside. A removable interior lid has an ivory knob and is octagonal in shape. The interior of the caddy is lined with foil, with losses, and the underside is covered with a shagreen-textured paper with losses. The tea caddy rests on four ball feet. A silver medallion on top of the caddy bears no monogram; the front with a silver scalloped escutcheon, lacking the key. Overall it measures approx. 3-1/4"T x 4-1/2"W x 2-3/4"L.
The term "caddy" is believed to have been derived from the Malay word "kati" or the Chinese word "catty", which means a measure of weight, and signifies the small box in which the tea was sent to Europe. The caddy was fitted with a lock because tea was an expensive commodity.
3,000/4,000
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