This exquisite tea caddy is crafted of tortoiseshell and ivory, two of 18th and 19th centuries' rarest luxury items, and is three times the size of most caddies created of these materials. Displaying an elegantly serpentine shape, the container has two compartments for holding different types of tea leaves, usually one green and one black variety. The compartments are topped with ivory-knobbed tortoiseshell caps and reveal a foil lining in near perfect condition. This lining is made of a tin alloy called "tea pewter," and helped to keep the tea dry and aromatic. Plush velvet lines the interior of the lid. This caddy is truly exceptional for its size and quality. As ivory and tortoiseshell were extremely rare commodities in the last quarter