Description

An early Victorian tortoiseshell mother of pearl inlaid tea caddy

An early Victorian tortoiseshell mother of pearl inlaid tea caddy of rectangular form with white metal stringing and shallow swept pagoda-top lid, the top and front with elaborate engraved mother of pearl bird and scrolling foliate and floral decoration, the front with a white metal rectangular escutcheon flanked to the corners by plan cylindrical columns, the pink plush lined interior with a single foil lined container, the detachable cover with a turned ivory knopped handle flanking an inset detachable cut-glass mixing bowl with faceted swirl, cut diamond and fan cut rim decoration on star cut circular footed base, the moulded foot on ivory ball feet, 18.5cm high, 23.5cm wide, 14.5cmm deep