In the 17th century, tea was cherished—and cher. So people locked away the loose leaves in tin- or lead-lined tea caddies. But collecting tortoiseshell ones with ivory feet may soon be more difficult. “I can’t bring these back from England anymore, because there is going to be a ban on ivory and tortoise,” says antiques dealer Jules Pass. And, of course, caddies aren’t made now, adds Pass: “People use tea bags.”
English tea caddy with silver monogram, circa 1920, $4,800; smaller octagonal tea caddy, circa 1820, $2,800; rectangular caddy on flattened bun feet, $2,500. Jules L Pass Antiques, 9807 Clayton, 314-991-1522
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