{"product_id":"sterling-tea-caddy","title":"Sterling Tea Caddy","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA sterling silver tea caddy. This stunning clean Art Deco box has a hinged lid that closes very tightly in order to keep the contents fresh. As one would imagine from such a fabulous and renowned maker, the quality of the hidden piano hinge is spectacular. It can barely be noticed when looking for it from above. There is a small Deco style finial detail on the top of the lid to aid opening it once tightly sealed. It is wonderful quality and was made using a thick heavy gauge of sterling silver. Given its elegant and sharp geometric lines it will look at home today in the most modern of environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gs\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ii gt adO\" id=\":4pj\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a3s aiL\" id=\":4pi\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew objects capture the ritual of tea quite like the tea caddy. More than a container, it has long been a symbol of refinement, ceremony, and status.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen tea first arrived in Europe in the 17th century, it was a rare and precious commodity—measured out in ounces, savored in drawing rooms, and guarded like treasure. The vessels that held it were no less remarkable. Inspired by Chinese porcelain jars and named after the “catty,” a traditional Asian weight for tea, the earliest caddies were exotic imports, adorned in blue and white, and reserved for the most discerning households.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the 18th and 19th centuries, as tea drinking blossomed into a cornerstone of British society, the tea caddy evolved into an art form in its own right. Crafted from rich mahogany, rosewood, or tortoiseshell, and often inlaid with ivory, brass, or mother-of-pearl, these boxes were as much display pieces as they were practical storage. Many were fitted with locks—the mistress of the house keeping the only key—underscoring just how prized their contents were.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross cultures, the role of the tea caddy shifted but remained steeped in ritual. In Japan, for example, finely crafted chaire and natsume are central to the tea ceremony, embodying elegance, precision, and quiet beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough the need for lockable chests faded as tea became commonplace, the allure of the caddy has never waned. Today, antique examples are cherished by collectors, while contemporary makers still honor the tradition—crafting pieces that preserve both the freshness of the leaf and the timeless grace of the ceremony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tea caddy is more than storage. It is history you can hold, a vessel of culture, craft, and ritual that continues to whisper of centuries past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe caddy has a full set of English hallmarks stamped into both the body and the lid. It was made by Vander \u0026amp; Hedges \u003c\/span\u003eTessiers Ltd (after 1920). \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTessiers of London stands among the great names of Mayfair’s jewellery houses. Founded in the 19th century with Huguenot roots reaching back to the early 1700s, the firm became renowned for exquisite diamonds, fine silver, and timeless design. Incorporated as Tessiers Ltd. in 1920, it served London’s most distinguished clientele, earning a reputation for craftsmanship and quiet prestige. Today, antique Tessier jewels remain highly coveted, embodying the elegance of one of London’s most storied maisons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade in England, circa 1929.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Foundwell","offers":[{"title":"3.6 \/ 3","offer_id":45409831157950,"sku":"FWO3570","price":875.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0689\/2617\/files\/0005-1_685af3bd-7fb4-4848-bc31-9e18bbab349e.jpg?v=1757979691","url":"https:\/\/foundwell.com\/products\/sterling-tea-caddy","provider":"Foundwell","version":"1.0","type":"link"}