A very attractive George III single cube tea caddy of top quality, c1785. This stunning tea caddy is unusual in that it has the same very fine inlaid decoration on all four sides as well as the top. On so many tea caddies, the decoration is applied only to the top, front and maybe the sides. With the decoration applied to all sides and the top, it makes this particular caddy something very special and the quality of the workmanship is exemplary.

Each of the four sides and top of the caddy are given the same decorative treatment. This decorative treatment is of a central oval medallion in beautifully figured and rich close grained mahogany. This oval medallion is edged with the most tiny and very fine line of 'rope' work inlay, executed in alternating dark and light woods. The size of the pieces of veneer used in creating the rope work inlay is so small and it must have taken a great deal of skill and time to produce. 

The main face of the sides and top are veneered with exquisitely grained satinwood, this quarter veneered to give horizontal graining to the side panels and vertical graining to the top and bottom panels. The sheen and shine from this delightful satinwood is magnificent - it just oozes quality.

The square quarter veneered satin wood faces are edged with more very fine and intricate rope work inlay in dark and light woods. There is then a wide banding to the edges of darker grained mahogany, this providing a perfect frame to the satinwood panels and central oval motifs.

Finally, there is boxwood stringing applied to the edges of the caddy-even including round the base.

There is a charming shaped 'swing' loop handle to the lid, secured on a central circular pin.

Lifting the lid of the caddy reveals the metal foil lined interior, this covering the inside of the lid as well as the inside of the caddy.

There is a brass lock to the caddy, but alas there is no key.

Two brass hinges secure the lid to the caddy, both hinges in good working order and having no play in them. Each hinge is secured by four brass screws.

The inner rim of the lid and the inner rim of the caddy are lined with a fine grained wood veneer that is possibly a fruit wood such as pear.

The base of the caddy has a raised foot rim which like the inner rims of the caddy and lid, is veneered in a wood that is possibly a fine grained fruit wood such as pear. The base is then lined with what looks to be the original green baize.

An exquisite and extremely fine quality George III English Tea caddy, c1785. Beautifully inlaid on all four sides and the top-a caddy of outstanding quality for the connoisseur collector.

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Size and Weight: (values are approximate)

• 4½" X 3¾" X 4½" (114mm X 95mm X 114mm) length X width X height
• 13¼oz (373gms) in weight

Condition:

This very high quality and stunning George III tea caddy is in beautiful condition. The decoration is superb and in very good order. The foil lining of the caddy and the green baize lining to the base are also in very good condition. The only extremely minor imperfections are the pointed corners of the satinwood veneer on the top left quarter of the lid may appear to be lifting very slightly. However, these are quite stable and are possibly just appearing to lift due to the different expansion/contraction of the veneers, but is nothing of consequence and certainly do not detract from this magnificent caddy.

One of the finest caddies that I have had for sale - an exquisite tea caddy for the connoisseur collector of top quality English tea caddies.