Price guide to satinwood tea caddies. When first introduced to Europe, tea was extremely expensive, and kept under the eye of the mistress of the house, often under lock and key. The containers used were therefore often expensive and decorative, to fit in with the rest of a drawing-room or other reception room. Hot water was carried up from the kitchen, and the tea made by the mistress of the house, or under her supervision. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples of satinwood tea caddies including a George III satinwood, amboyna and marquetry tea caddy and a George III satinwood and tulipwood caddy.
A George III cased silver-mounted glass tea caddy set
the glass silver mounts, maker’s mark IT possibly Joseph Taconet, London 1799
With a pair of silver-mounted oval glass caddies, moulded rims with hinged covers, engraved script initials, a silver-mounted pedestal glass mixing bowl, contained in a satinwood box, with silver mounts and hinges, maker’s mark JA, London 1799, rectangular form, hinged cover with silver swing-handle, red leather covered fitted interior, height of caddies 12cm, diameter of mixing bowl 12cm.
Sold for £1,020 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021
A GEORGIAN REVIVAL BRASS-MOUNTED MAHOGANY, SATINWOOD AND EBONY TEA CADDY DATED 1856
In the form of a Georgian home, with a shield form brass cartouche engraved H.J. Stepney/Aged 65/ Years/Lower Sooting/1856
9 ½ in. (24 cm.) high, 12 ½ in. (32 cm.) wide, 6 5/8 in. (17 cm.) deep.
Sold for USD 6,875 at Christie’s in 2019
George III Harewood and Satinwood Marquetry Tea Caddy
Last quarter 18th century
The hinged oval lid opening to a foil-lined interior. Height 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm), width 5 1/2 inches (14 cm), depth 3 1/4 inches (8.3 cm).
Sold for $441 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022
Ralph Turnbull of Kingston Jamaica Mahogany and Satinwood Tea Caddy, of octagonal form in mahogany with a silvered border and silvered bail handle and escutcheon, the hinged top opening to a mahogany cover with a satinwood banded border, the obverse applied with a paper label for Ralph Turnbull. Dimensions: 7 in.h. x 10 x 10 in. Condition: Shrinkage cracks and normal aging, interior cover with shrinkage crack.Lacking key and interior fittings.
Sold for US$1,100m at Neue Auctions in 2022
