This tea caddy takes the shape of a sarcophagus, a form which was favoured in the 19th century because of the fashion for neoclassical design in England. The centre of the lid is fitted with a silver mount monogrammed ‘EL’ while the interior features two lidded wells in which two different types of tea could be stored. This tea caddy has a wooden carcass with tortoiseshell veneers, most likely that of the tropical Hawksbill sea turtle, a species that is now endangered. The Hawksbill turtle shell was at one time prized for its attractive pattern and large size, and many decorative, domestic objects were produced using this material from the 1600s to early 20th century.
