Sunday 4 October 2009

Regency Mahogany Teapoy c.1810.

If ever there was a piece of furniture to reflect the status of tea in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th century it must be the 'teapoy'. Essentially a box in which small containers of different types of tea would be kept, it was raised on a pedestal or column base to give it the stature of a piece of fine furniture in its own rite. The name apparently derives from an Indian word describing any three legged table, the 'tea' syllable leading to its erroneous appropriation to describe these remarkable containers for the noble beverage!
This one dates from the early years of the 19th. century and features an inlaid top and unusual wire work panels on the sides. Unfortunately it has lost its original liners.
£595.

teapoy
antique teapoy inlaid
tea caddy
wire work detail