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Description:
Ref: 686TC
Victorian  two compartment Tea Caddy of complex shape  with eight sides and domed top, in burr walnut with gilded brass and malachite mounts by Stephenson, 99 Oxford Street. London  circa 1880.
The wood is burr walnut enhanced with extra painted lines in black. This was a 
technique sometimes used in the late 19th century. It gave the figure of the wood an 
overall strength, which hinted at marble and harmonised well with applied brass decoration. 
The escutcheon is in the neo-gothic style, in the late 19th century fashion for traditions 
harking back to what was perceived as a national heroic past.

Origin: UK, Stephenson's 99 Oxford St., W. ;  Circa: 1880 ; Materials: burr walnut with gilded brass on a mahogany structure.

Size: 26 cm wide by 17.5 cm by 15.5 cm:  10.2 inches wide by  6.9 inches by 6.1  inches.

Condition: good original overall; working lock and key; see images

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Front. The wood is burr walnut enhanced with extra painted lines in black. This was a 
technique sometimes used in the late 19th century. It gave the figure of the wood an 
overall strength, which hinted at marble and harmonised well with applied brass decoration. 
The escutcheon is in the neo-gothic style, in the late 19th century fashion for traditions 
harking back to what was perceived as a national heroic past.

Side view showing the enhancing lines continuing all the way up the upper part 
strengthening the cohesiveness of the whole piece. The shape of the caddy can also be 
appreciated in profile: domed top going into straight lines, straight sides and elaborately 
constructed base.

Back view showing the dramatic continuous figure.

Top enhanced with a brass plaque shaped in the neo-gothic style, with a rounded malachite 
stone in the centre. The theme of strength is emphasised by the addition of the stone.

Side view open.
Interior showing continuous hinge and two lids. The lids have brass handles positioned in 
the centre of brass plaques in forms suggestive of crosses. Again this is a suggestion of 
Knightly valour. 

Lid with “Black” for black tea.

Inside the lids there is a lot of surviving foil.

I have been able to find an advertisement for Stephenson's in:

APA:   (2013). pp. 157-8. Black's Picturesque Guide to the Isle of Wight. London: Forgotten Books. (Original work published 1871)
MLA:   Black's Picturesque Guide to the Isle of Wight. 1871. Reprint. London: Forgotten Books, 2013. 157-8. Print.  

"STEPHENSON'S USEFUL PRESENTS, At 99 OXFORD STREET,

STATIONERY AND FANCY GOOD WAREHOUSE,"