Satinwood Tea Chest with Twin Tea Caddies

Description Satinwood tea chest of rectangular form, veneered throughout in satinwood with tulipwood crossbanding and boxwood and ebony checkered stringing. The lid is of raised cavetto form with a pagoda shaped profile. The tea chest dates to the Georgian period during the reign of George III, circa 1775. The lid is inlaid with four fan corners and fitted with a central silver loop handle above a reverse teardrop escutcheon. The exterior shows careful attention to the veneers and the precision of the stringing, typical of late 18th century English workmanship. The interior is extensively fitted and decorated, centred by a conch shell inlay incorporating two floral elements within matching borders. The chest houses a pair of pagoda lidded tea caddies, each removable, with sliding lids revealing the tea compartments. Each caddy also contains a concealed compartment, accessed by turning the caddy on its side and sliding the panel down to reveal the interior. The tea chest retains its working lock and is complete with a tasselled key. View the full Tea Caddy Collection. Mark Goodger Antiques has handled Georgian, Regency and Victorian tea caddies for decades, covering examples in tortoiseshell, pressed horn, burr woods, fruitwood, japanned surfaces, Tunbridge ware and silver. Our stock regularly includes sarcophagus forms, bombe shapes, novelty fruit caddies and rare interior configurations. Through continued study of construction methods, veneer combinations, period inlay techniques and interior composition, we place particular emphasis on authenticity and correct attribution. Understanding which materials were used together, how interiors were finished, and how hinges and mounts were constructed is essential when assessing genuine eighteenth and nineteenth century tea caddies. What is Satinwood? Satinwood is found in India and Sri Lanka. It has a rich golden colour and an almost reflective sheen. Satinwood is traditionally used for high quality furniture. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Satinwood. What is Tulipwood? Tulipwood is also known as Brazilian Tulipwood, Brazilian Pinkwood and Bahia Rosewood. It is found in South America, mainly Brazil. The colour is warm yellow with streaks or brown-red grain. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Tulipwood. What is Ebony? Ebony is often almost completely black with very little visible grain often with a subtle red/purple hue. This wood is very expensive due to the slow-growing trees which can often be gnarly affecting the yield of straight workable wood. Most ebonies are very dense making work with hand tools very difficult and can quickly clunt cutting tools. This density however offers an excellent finish on turned items. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Ebony. What is Boxwood? Boxwood known as “Buxus sempervirens” can be found in Europe, Northwest Africa and Southwest Asia. It is a light cream that turns darker to brown when exposed to light. The trees are very small meaning it is suited to smaller projects like edging or inlay instead of veneers. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Boxwood. What is the Georgian Era? The Georgian era was a period in British history from 1714 to 1837, named after the Hanoverian kings George the First, George the Second, George the Third and George the Fourth. Many historians also include the short reign of William the Fourth, whose death in 1837 marks the close of the era. Within this broader period lies the Regency era, which refers to the years when George the Fourth served as Prince Regent during the illness of his father George the Third. Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques? With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide. Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality. Your purchase is fully insured during transit and protected by our straightforward money back guarantee, allowing you to buy with complete confidence. We pride ourselves on transparency, expertise, and long term relationships with our clients, many of whom return to us repeatedly over decades. When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.