A very rare, and exceptional, George III Octagonal Tea Caddy made in London in 1787 by Charles Chesterman.
A very rare, and exceptional, George III Octagonal Tea Caddy made in London in 1787 by Charles Chesterman.
375310
This exceptional Tea Caddy is modelled in the very unusual octagonal form, with beaded base and rim. The eight side panels are engraved with an upper and lower herring bone band and prick dot vertical frames containing crisp floral garlands with stylised flower heads above. The domed cover is also engraved with the same herring bone band, as seen on the sides, and rises to a fruitwood pineapple finial, a symbol of wealth and status. The cover is also engraved with a contemporary Armorial, surrounded by a bright cut shield. This piece is in quite excellent condition and is fully marked on the base and with the sterling mark on the underside of the cover.
Octagonal Tea Caddies were not made in quantity and to find examples is very unusual. Hester Bateman was known to have made this style and Charles Chesterman has been influenced, in the making of this caddy, by her designs. Chesterman had workshops at 62, Fleet Market, when this piece was made. The Armorial is that as used by the Hartford family.
Height: 6.5 inches, 16.3 cm.
Length: 5.55 inches, 13.88 cm.
Width: 4.25 inches, 10.63 cm.
Weight: 14 oz
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