Ship Captain's Tea Caddy

Antiques > Furniture Accessories Dealer: Wellesley House Contact: Andrew Vogel - Email Dealer
Price: $5,200.00 USD  - Currency Converter Shipping inside United States: Quoted at time of purchase Shipping outside United States: Quoted at time of purchase

Description: This remarkable double tea caddy is deceptively simple in appearance, but closer examination reveals the many significant features that make this a true collector's piece worthy of any museum, public or private. Made of Cuban Mahogany, a species that no longer exists due to the English insatiable desire for colonial hardwoods in the early to mid 1800s. Its patina is in its original, preserved condition, the character in the grain is extraordinary - that can not be replicated in today's fast growing "tree farms". It has two removable containers that are significant individual caddies in their own right. One was meant for black tea and the other for green. They still retain remnants of their original lead linings. The label under the footed glass mixing/sugar bowl indicates that the maker, Wells & Lambe of Cockspur St. London who had earned a royal warrant indicating that they were purveyors of items to Queen Victoria. (They also supplied pieces to the Duke of Cumberland.) Wells & Lambe also happened to be the firm that invented and patented the invisible hinge - excellent examples of this design are incorporated into this cabinetry. Even the lock was from the most renowned of locksmith of the era: S. Mordan & Co. The simplicity of the design with its brass banding indicates that this was designed as a campaign piece. Seeing as most commissioned officers were members of the gentry who bought their own commissions it was unthinkable for them to head off into service without the necessities of life. This significant tea caddy was obviously "bespoke" (custom designed) for high ranking individual who demanded the best quality. Other photos available. A dispatch case by Wells & Lambe owned Isambard Kingdom Brunel - the great Victorian engineer who designed the SS Great Britain - is a featured item of the Historic Collections of the SS Great Britain Trust & Museum. Wells and Lambe were formed in 1815 and traded from 29, Cockspur Street.

Status: No Longer Available	Reference#: 80053
Condition: Excellent	Year: 1830s
Country: England	Maker: Wells & Lambe
Height: 7 in. (17.78 cm)	Depth: 7 in. (17.78 cm)
Width: 15 in. (38.10 cm)
Title: Nautical Double Tea Caddy
Materials: wood, glass, brass	Type: Wood Tea Caddy

Dealer Policies: Wellesley House Policy Details

Dealer Accepts: