Featured Tole tea caddy, or...?

Can anyone tell me what this is? My best guess is a tea caddy, as I would expect it to be compartmentalized if it was intended for spices, but I really don’t know. I’d also be interested in when it might date to, if anyone should know. Thanks!

 

Could be, but more likely a spice box imho

 

Powder box?
It bothers me that the inside it painted. I don't think a spice or tea box would be.

 

Good point! Hadn’t thought about that.

 

The handle is interesting. If it was just a container for dry bits, why would it have a handle. It's obviously light enough to pick up. and what's with that tray underneath. Is it separate or attached.

 

The tray underneath is attached. I’ve searched but haven’t found another example of a tea or spice caddy with an attached “saucer” like this.

 

This makes me think of a liquid, though the painted interior that @clutteredcloset49 noted concerns me. Are there any signs of heat on the bottom - perhaps for hot wax then.

 

Good idea, but the bottom is painted green, with no signs of heat.

 

Well there is no pour spot and the hinge is opposite the handle. Thinking.

 

For something that would dry out fast if not covered that is liquid after being mixed like powered wood glue.

 

Glue pot? Could be...

 

I think I can see the mix marks on the bottom. Powdered wood glue wouldn’t stick to the metal (I think )

 

Thank you for this. I’d wondered what caused those wear marks! I think your glue pot theory is the best one yet. If this is in fact what this thing is, then I’d be confident in it having some real age to it. I could be wrong, but I doubt they made glue pots when toleware had its revival back in the 1950’s.

 

I think maybe loose tea or cocoa. So the marks on the bottom are from the spoon dipping in. And the fact it's painted inside, I think it's older than the 1950s. I'd put it in the 1800s. They didn't know not to paint inside. It's a matt paint and doesn't distract from the colorful green on the outside. They never thought about scooping up the paint in what they were going to ingest.

Just my two cent worth but I don't think it's had anything heated in it.

Dana