Featured Sterling Tea Caddy ???Match Holder?????,

Discussion in 'Silver' started by spirit-of-shiloh, Jan 16, 2015.

  1. spirit-of-shiloh

    spirit-of-shiloh Well-Known Member

    Hi, this has been in the family forever. Its sterling but not marked,just some faint scratched in initials and numbers on the base,possibly homemade?.
    Because of the flames on the front I thought it was for holding matches? Could it also be for tea? DSCN2308.JPG
    Any help is appreciated. Measures 3 1/2" high x 3" wide
    Thank you.
    It was in my hutch all tarnished so I polished it last night. :)
    DSCN2307.JPG
    DSCN2309.JPG

    DSCN2309.JPG

    I added a pic of the flame and got a duplicated pic?
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2015
  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    I've seen that flame before.....now it's driving me nuts...
    Could the item be from a dresser set.....for powder maybe?
     
  3. spirit-of-shiloh

    spirit-of-shiloh Well-Known Member

    Usually dresser sets have glass inserts? I am at a loss for what it is but still love it ;) Its one of thos...."whatchmacallits" in my home :)
     
  4. persona-non-gratin

    persona-non-gratin Well-Known Member

    Bibelot, perhaps ?
     
    spirit-of-shiloh likes this.
  5. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    It's personalized with the initial on the lid
    I think komokwa is correct talc power.
    Small size may be for traveling.

    Can we see pictures of the marks?
    I doubt it is homemade.
     
  6. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    It's a tea caddy shape, and I suspect it's mid to late 18th C. Any kind of shaker would have a pierced insert, be it talc or sand to blot. Tea caddies were small then. It perhaps sat in a set.

    The "flames" are an armorial. That's a cut down version of someone's family crest or coat of arms. Bet it's British.
     
  7. gregsglass

    gregsglass Well-Known Member

    Hi,
    If it was sterling would it not be marked? Did the British have a lower silver standard back then? I think it is a tea caddy also.
    greg
     
  8. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Not all silver was marked, by any means. It cost money to have the assay office stamp, so you do get unmarked stuff.
     
  9. gregsglass

    gregsglass Well-Known Member

    Hi Owned,
    Thanks, I was under the impression that all silver was marked.
    greg
     
  10. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    Tea caddy. Family of Flaming Mamie.

    :)
     
  11. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    I have no idea but it's lovely! :)
     
    spirit-of-shiloh likes this.
  12. 42Skeezix

    42Skeezix Moderator Moderator

    I would call it nothing but a tea caddy.
    I think early too.

    Sweet little piece.
     
    spirit-of-shiloh likes this.
  13. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Interesting to have a family crest and letter....which cost money too.....but with no hallmark !
    Well, if ya can't beat em ....join em !

    So i found this on the web...

    An English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by Henry Atkin, Sheffield, ca. 1894
    3¾ x 2½ in

    Sterling silver tea caddy of cylindrical shape with swirled fluted design on base, small neck with removable lid, accented with gadrooned border; hallmarked on the neck and base, maker's mark "H.A"; overall weight 4.6 toz.


    teacaddy1894.jpg
     
    spirit-of-shiloh likes this.
  14. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    I believe that swirled, fluted patterning is called gadrooned or gadrooning.
     
  15. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    I would have thought the flame pattern would be easy to find, but noooooo.
     
  16. spirit-of-shiloh

    spirit-of-shiloh Well-Known Member

    Well my Mom's maiden name is Duggan. So perhaps the D?
     
  17. spirit-of-shiloh

    spirit-of-shiloh Well-Known Member

    I had to Google Bibelot :p
     
  18. spirit-of-shiloh

    spirit-of-shiloh Well-Known Member

    I had to draw what I see since the markings are made with possibly a sharp scribe? Too faint to take a pic.

    DSCN2326.JPG DSCN2328.JPG
     
  19. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    komokwa, it's also the case that sometimes one or two of a set were marked, but not the whole caboodle.

    As to the "flame thing", I need to dredge from the recesses of my brain what the heraldic term is.
     
    spirit-of-shiloh likes this.
  20. gregsglass

    gregsglass Well-Known Member

    Hi Owned,
    I have this "nagging" telling me Scottish but do not ask me why.
    greg
     
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Sterling Caddy
Forum Title Date
Silver Sterling Tea Caddy Spoon Apr 10, 2020
Silver Help me date these Sterling Silver Rhino Mar 11, 2024
Silver Sterling handled cake breaker Mar 9, 2024
Silver Sterling silver presentation piece Soldiers Mar 4, 2024
Silver Who made this miniature Sterling coffeepot? Mar 4, 2024

Share This Page