Britannia Standard Tea Caddy, 1716

This early George I period silver tea caddy takes the standard octagonal form of the period and has the typical slide-off top for re-filling and removable cap, acting as tea measure. The box has a good hefty weight and a solid feel in the hand, plus it benefits from being in fine condition with just a few very minor bruises. This tea caddy was made by the specialist maker, John Farnell and bears his "Fa" New Standard maker's mark in a heart-shaped shield along with a good, full set of Britannia Standard hallmarks to the main body. The slide-off top is appropriately part-marked with maker and lion's head erased, plus there is a further lion's head erased mark to the underside. The cap is typically unmarked, but is almost certainly original.