Afternoon tea was an elegant affair with this exceptional Brazilian rosewood tea caddie. Original cut glass and wood containers are concealed beneath an exquisite brass inlaid cover in the style of Francois Boulle which depicts the lion and unicorn, symbols of the British Royal Family, as a central theme. A quadruped rolling stand supports this charming and quite possibly royal piece.

17 ½" x 13 ½" 31 ¼"



Circa 1820

In the mid-17th century, the passion for tea swept across England as it had earlier spread throughout France and Holland. First served in a London coffeehouse in 1657, tea was soon touted as a health tonic and cure-all. Tea importation rose from 40,000 pounds in 1699 to an annual average of