Item number: 58004
A George III sterling silver tea caddy
London 1781 by Robert Hennell I
Of oval shape standing on a flat base and showing a vertically waved body with smooth depressions and geometrical engravings to the tips. The flat top of the tea caddy is fitted with a flush hinged hallmarked cover with a very subtly realised frieze of geometrical ornaments. The cover retains the original detachable pineapple style finial, securing to the interior with a screw fitting. The lid displays a contemporary family crest to the front.
This georgian solid sterling silver tea caddy is a very good gauge of silver and in excellent presentation condition. The decoration is very clear to every part and shows no rubbing. The hinge is in notable good order and shows no wear and no damage. The tea caddy is fully hallmarked to the base and properly part hallmarked to the lid. The tea caddy illustrates exemplarily the great influence of the plain silver works from the late 18th century which set the stylistic standards to the works of the leading silversmithies as the Wiener Werkstätte or other progressive workshops of the Arts and Crafts style or Art Déco. This tea caddy is really outstanding for both quality and preservation.
12.5 cm / 4.92″ length, 9.0 cm / 3.54″ width, 12 cm / 4.72″ height (to the knob), 10.2 cm / 4.01″ height (to the rim); 418.6 g / 13.45 oz
