{"product_id":"antique-mahogany-tea-caddy-dated-1844-twin-compartment-victorian-presentation-box","title":"Antique Mahogany Tea Caddy Dated 1844 – Twin Compartment Victorian Presentation Box","description":"A lovely early Victorian mahogany tea caddy dating from the mid 19th century, with a particularly appealing original fitted interior and handwritten presentation inscription dated 1844.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe rectangular mahogany case has a gently domed lid, shaped brass escutcheon and warm, richly aged surface. Opening the main lid reveals a pink-lined interior together with two separate fitted mahogany tea compartments, each retaining its original lift-off lid and turned wooden knob. These twin compartments were traditionally used to keep different varieties of tea separately stored at a time when tea remained a relatively valuable household commodity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost interestingly, the underside of the lid carries an old handwritten presentation inscription which appears to read “Mrs William Chisholm \/ To \/ John Hume \/ 1844”, followed by a further period inscription beneath. This gives the caddy considerably more individual history than the majority of surviving examples and supports a mid-19th-century date.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA wonderfully tactile and characterful piece of Victorian domestic history, equally attractive today as a small decorative box for jewellery, keepsakes or other treasured objects.\u003cbr\u003eIt measures approximately 19 × 10 × 10 cm (7.5 × 3.9 × 3.9 inches).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe caddy remains in good antique condition with the expected marks, scratches, wear and variations to the polished surface from around 180 years of use. There is some age-related wear and staining to the pink interior lining.","brand":"CIRCUS OF CURIOS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56969078899074,"sku":"07-10-26-?-25?-M3-?","price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/1405\/9185\/files\/il_fullxfull.8687270507_7taq.jpg?v=1791398663","url":"https:\/\/circusofcurios.com\/products\/antique-mahogany-tea-caddy-dated-1844-twin-compartment-victorian-presentation-box","provider":"CIRCUS OF CURIOS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}