Antique Georgian Fruitwood Melon Tea Caddy, English c. 1800, Ready to Ship

A Georgian tea caddy turned from a solid block of fruitwood in the form of a melon, the body carved with deep vertical lobes, with a hinged lid, applied stalk, and a small oval brass escutcheon with working lock and key. The surface carries a warm honeyed patina, darkened at the base from two centuries of handling, with old shrinkage to the lid.

Fruit-form caddies were made in England from roughly 1780 to 1820, when tea was costly enough to be kept under lock and key — a domestic luxury dressed up as something from the garden. The melon is the scarcest of the forms, made in far smaller numbers than the familiar apple and pear, and correspondingly harder to find.

A quietly sculptural object for a shelf, mantel or dressing table, and one that holds rings and small treasures as well as it once held tea.

Item details
• Wood: fruitwood
• Height: 6 in (15.2 cm)
• Period: late Georgian, c. 1790–1820
• Origin: England
• Fittings: oval brass escutcheon, working lock, complete with key and later silk tassel
• Carving: deep hand-cut vertical lobes

Condition: Good antique condition with honest wear consistent with two centuries of use — old shrinkage to the lid, darkening and wear to the base, and light knocks. Please review all photographs, which form part of the description.

One only. A single antique piece, photographed exactly as it will arrive. Once it sells it cannot be repeated.

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US customers: we cover all import duties and taxes — your order arrives with no additional charges. International customers: we prepay most duties and taxes on your behalf. Each order is beautifully packaged, ready for gift giving.