Images(4)

Tea Chest

Date1770-1790

MediumMahogany, mahogany veneer on deal with satinwood inlay; silver handle and escutcheon plate, velvet and metalic thread.

DimensionsOH: 6 1/4"; OW: 11"; OD: 5 15/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1936-325

DescriptionTea chest; deep, rectangular tea caddy; top has straight sides with narrow molded edge along bottom and high ogee molding around upper edge tapering in to support a flat rectangular panel of mahogany veener with narrow molded outside edge; narrow banding of light and dark barber-pole inlay runs around panel near edge; original silver bail handle mounted in center of top panel with petal shaped round rosettes; top hinged at back to box section composed of four straight sides with narrow molded edge at base; elaborated pierced and scrolled silver escutcheon plate at center front near top; whole box covered with mahogany veneer with a large section of flame mahogany on each side outlined by a narrow banding of light and dark barber-pole inlay forming rectangles at the front and back, squares at each end; interior lined with original green velvet edged with narrow bands of sliver tape or "lace"; lower section of interior has large, round center recess with smaller, oval recesses on either side meant to hold cannisters which are missing.