Description A beautifully worked octagonal silver tea caddy consisting of a main container and a detachable well-fitting lid. The caddy is of classic eighteenth century form. The case is chased overall with a varied, floral pattern of stylised poppy and coriander flowers, stems and leaves, with additional chinar leaves, all on a background textured with a myriad of tiny chased dots. The container side panels consist of two broad front and back faces, two narrower side faces and four very narrow corner faces. While the decorative flower and leaf components are repeated across the side and top surfaces, the detailed arrangement varies between each panel but all are edged with a horizontal band of small stylised acanthus leaves and a vertical band in the form of a twisted wire. The top panel is similarly decorated but the base is plain. The circular lid, which fits centrally over a plain collar on the top panel, has a pattern of flower heads on its domed upper surface and a scrolling wave pattern around its side. The case is made of a good gauge of silver throughout and is of purity standard 0.925 (sterling) or better. Dimensions & Weight: Height (container body): 9.0 cm / 3 ½ ins. Height (container and lid): 11.7 cm / 4 5/8 ins. Width (broad side): 9.9 cm / 3 7/8 ins. Depth (short side): 6.7 cm / 2 5/8 in. Weight: 286 gms / 9.2 ozT.
