Mahogany Fiddleback Single Tea Caddy

Here is a very pretty mahogany, single compartment, George III, tea caddy. It is rectangular in shape with “fiddle-back” grain, this expression identifying an unusual wood structure of tight grain, favoured for violin making (hence the expression). The caddy is edged in boxwood. It has an original bronze hinged loop handle to the top and a narrow lozenge shaped ivory key escutcheon. The lock works, with key, and the hinges are original too. Inside there is the original lead lining – not paper foil as on later items. This is a lovely period piece and is dated C1790-1810.