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

A late Georgian tea caddy turned and hollowed from a solid block of fruitwood in the form of a pear, with a lift-off lid, applied stalk, and a shield-form bone escutcheon to the body. The lock is secured with hand-made screws, and the interior retains its original foil lining. The surface has mellowed over two centuries to a deep honeyed brown, marked with the fine russeting and speckle that gives these caddies so much of their character.

Fruit-form caddies were made in England from roughly 1780 to 1820, when tea was costly enough to be kept under lock and key — an object of quiet wit, a domestic luxury dressed up as something from the orchard.

The body has taken a gentle oval from two centuries of seasoning, and there is old shrinkage to the interior. Both are the honest marks of age in a piece turned from solid wood, and part of what distinguishes an original from the many later copies.

Item details
• Wood: fruitwood
• Height: 7 in (17.8 cm); 7½ in (19 cm) including the stalk
• Interior: approx. 4¼ × 4 in, with original foil lining
• Period: late Georgian, c. 1790–1820
• Origin: England
• Fittings: shield-form bone escutcheon, lock with hand-made screws

Condition: Good antique condition with honest wear consistent with two centuries of use — old shrinkage to the interior, gentle ovality to the body, 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.