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Description: 18^th Century Tea Chest in harewood and burr yew, crossbanded in kingwood. Circa 1790
Ref:  741TC  http://hygra.com/box/741TC 

This Tea Chest is artfully veneered in a combination of woods, which mutually enhance the figure and colour of each other. The striations of the harewood emphasise the dots of the yew and the crossbanding imposes an extra control  which strengthens the whole composition.

The interior of the Chest has two lift-out lidded canisters with sliding lids. This is most unusual in a box of such high quality. Lift-out canisters, especially as intricate and complex as the outer box, were usually made for chests with central expensive crystal bowls. This is because the commissioning clients were rich and would have wanted to show that they could afford the extra luxury of the crystal. So why was this exceptionally well made chest made without space for the bowl? The most likely reason is that it was commissioned by a well to do client of impeccable taste, who also had a conscience. By the late 18^th century the anti-slavery movement was beginning to infiltrate even the highest echelons of society and people of wanted to make a point of not using sugar, which came from the slave plantations.       

Origin: UK;  Circa: 1790; Materials:  parquetry  of harewood , burr yew, and kingwood  on a mahogany carcass.

Size: 20.4 cm wide by 12 cm by 12.5 cm:   8 inches wide by   4.7 inches by  4.9  inches.

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

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The interior of the Chest has two lift-out lidded canisters. 

This is most unusual in a box of such high quality.

 Lift-out canisters, especially as intricate and complex as the outer box, were usually made for chests with central expensive crystal bowls. 

This is because the commissioning clients were rich and would have wanted to show that they could afford the extra luxury of the crystal. 

So why was this exceptionally well made chest made without space for the bowl? The most likely reason is that it was commissioned by a well to do client of impeccable taste, who also had a conscience. By the late 18th century the anti-slavery movement was beginning to infiltrate even the highest echelons of society and people of wanted to make a point of not using sugar, which came from the slave plantations. 

A central oval of burr yew  is framed by  mitered harewood (stained maple) and cross banded with kingwood. Boxwood lines separate the elements.

The lids slide, so that there is no need for knobs which would interfere with the  burr yew ovals.

Sliding lids are special and only used in a few caddies. Hinged lids are much more usual.

The canisters retain much of their original leading.

The lid from the underside. The mortise would have tennon to stop the lid sliding off. They are now missing but could be replaced. There is however good reasons not to. 

The lids are not covered in lead. There is some old loss of wood on the underside of one of the lids.

 

The back is as beautiful as the front emphasising that no expense was spared. The neoclassical inspiration of the controlled design of ovals and geometric straight lines is sustained all around the outside of the chest.

View of the chest open, showing the continuity of design inside and out.

 Front view with working lock and key. There is a tiny old repair right on the bottom.

Canisters with sides in mahogany, shown outside the main box.

The canisters are made from close grained quartered mahogany.  The marking lines for the fine dovetail joints are still visible.

The top has a central “Dutch” brass handle. Although the pattern is the same as the front, there is an additional subtle design adjustment, which adds a pleasing extra visual treat. The central half diamond shapes are quite a lot darker than the other three on each side, giving the eye a pleasant surprise without compromising the symmetry. This is a box of great complexity and yet without any hint of over decoration. A truly neoclassical chest made by a master.