Flame mahogany gets its swirling figure from cutting the veneer at an angle across a crotch or feathered section of the tree, rather than sawing straight through the grain. The front of this caddy shows that figuring off well — it's clearly the point of the design rather than a background detail. The sarcophagus form sits on turned bun feet, with a geometric lid panel framed in boxwood stringing against the deep red-brown of the mahogany.
Inside, the original three-part arrangement is intact: two removable veneered tea caddies with floral metal knobs flank a circular recess, and the glass mixing bowl that sits within it — used for blending teas before serving — is still there, held by its brass collar. It's the kind of thing that's easy to lose along the way, so worth noting it's survived at all. The interior is lined in bright red, which stands out clearly against the mahogany once the lid's open — genuinely worth leaving on display rather than tucked away shut.
A handsome and increasingly difficult-to-find early 19th-century tea caddy, equally suited to a collection of Regency antiques or as an elegant decorative piece for the home.
Condition notes
The caddy remains in excellent antique condition. At some stage in its life it has been refinished with a later clear lacquer or varnish, giving it a noticeably higher gloss than would originally have been present. This finish extends into the interior compartments and is clearly visible in the close-up photographs. While not original, it has left the caddy exceptionally clean and very well presented. There is a small area of veneer loss around the escutcheon/keyhole together with the expected light age-related marks and wear associated with a genuine Regency piece. The decorative knobs appear to be later replacements, secured from beneath with modern screws.
