Antique Gillows Tea Caddy, Ebony & Satinwood, Circa 1795

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Description

Late Georgian/Regency Period Tea Caddy "Optic/Medallion" Tea Caddy Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

A stunningly constructed English Sheraton-period tea caddy … Read more Late Georgian/Regency Period Tea Caddy "Optic/Medallion" Tea Caddy Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

A stunningly constructed English Sheraton-period tea caddy dating to the late Georgian era, crafted in richly figured hardwood veneers with bold decorative contrasts of satinwood, ebony stringing, and zebrawood banding. The piece embodies the restrained geometric elegance associated with the late eighteenth-century neoclassical furniture tradition known as the Sheraton style, which emphasized architectural symmetry, delicate line inlay, and carefully arranged exotic veneers.

The rectangular form is decorated on the lid and each side with large oval reserve panels set within square satinwood fields. These panels are surrounded by dramatic zebrawood banding whose striped grain creates a striking visual rhythm across the surface. Thin ebony stringing further outlines the geometry of the design, producing crisp visual borders that reinforce the refined neoclassical composition. The contrast between the golden satinwood, warm reddish hardwood ovals, and dark zebrawood creates a sophisticated palette typical of the finest late Georgian decorative cabinetmaking.

The lid opens on original brass hinges to reveal a fitted interior containing two removable tea compartments with original lids, each fitted with a small turned brass knob. The compartments retain their traditional foil lining, a practical feature intended to preserve the aroma and freshness of loose tea while protecting it from moisture. During the eighteenth century, tea was an expensive imported luxury, and such caddies were often kept locked to protect their valuable contents within the household.

The interior of the lid is lined in faded original velvet, a typical finishing detail for quality tea caddies of the period. A working lock and key remain with the piece, reinforcing its original function as a secure storage vessel for tea. The removable lids allowed the household to store two varieties—commonly green tea and black tea—within the same caddy.

Stylistically, the disciplined geometry, precise veneer work, and use of exotic woods show strong parallels to furniture produced by the celebrated English cabinetmaking firm Gillows of Lancaster and London, one of the most influential workshops operating in Britain during the late Georgian and Regency periods. Gillows pieces are particularly admired for their exacting joinery, restrained ornamentation, and refined use of contrasting veneers, qualities clearly present in this example.

Tea caddies such as this were both functional household objects and symbols of polite refinement within fashionable Georgian homes. During the era of George IV, tea drinking had become a deeply embedded social ritual, and beautifully crafted caddies were often displayed prominently in drawing rooms and parlors.

Dimensions
Width: 7 in
Depth: 4 in
Height: 4.5 in

With its striking zebrawood banding, elegant oval reserves, original fitted interior, and working key, this refined late Georgian tea caddy represents a classic example of Sheraton-era decorative cabinetmaking—an object that combines craftsmanship, practicality, and the genteel rituals of the Georgian tea table. See less