Fruitwood, rosewood, ivory, engraved brass, silver, nacre
France, 1st half of the 19th century
Rectangular lockable tea caddy of fruitwood with hinged lid, slightly curved walls, sideways at the bottom a drawer for the extraction of the tea powder
the surface is richly decorated with delicate boulle-marquetry in the shape of rocailles, flowers and strapwork, the edges slanted and furred with engraved brass
The inside is lined with metal foil, at the bottom with fine perforation for the separation of the tea powder into the drawer, original brass lock, key is missing
Dimensions: 23 x 12 x 15 cm
Good condition
Exceptionally elaborately decorated tea caddy from France, a great testimony for the high regard of tea in the 19th century

This tea caddy was made in the first half of the 19th century in France. The design of the box with the elaborate marquetry matches the style of André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), royal ebeniste and inventor of this type of surface refinement. The rectangular tea caddy with hinged lid is made of fruitwood and its walls are slightly curved. At the bottom on the left side is an extendible drawer, which absorbs the tea powder. Every surface is richly decorated with boulle-marquetry in the shape of rocailles, flowers and strapwork. The slanted edges are furred with engraved brass. The brass lock for the closure of the caddy is original. On the inside, the box is lined with metal foil, which is perforated at the bottom for the deposition of the tea powder into the below lying drawer.

The tea caddy is in a good condition with signs of age and wear. A small piece of the marquetry is broken off. The dimensions are 23 x 12 x 15 cm. A key is not included.

Boulle

The technique of Boulle is a carpenter technique of refining surfaces of furniture and objets d’art. It is named after the French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle. Main feature of the Boulle-marquetry is the usage of tortoise shell in combination with brass or tin. One distinguishes between two contrasting techniques. The première-partie is the placing of the bright brass or tin inlays before the dark background of the tortoise shell. Since this was very expensive and costly due to the usage of natural products, the negative that resulted during the manufacture of the première-partie was often used. This is called contre-partie. (nlu)

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.