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Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
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Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox

  • This exceptional pair of Victorian silver tea caddies was crafted by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
  • The engraved cylindrical caddies are housed in a superbly carved ebony case, likely from Ceylon
  • The pair is marked with the armorial of the distinguished Somers-Cocks family
  • Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox were among the foremost silversmiths of the Victorian era
  • Get complete item description here
$24,500
Item No. 32-1349

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Description
Pair of Victorian Silver Tea Caddies in a Carved Ebony Case
Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Hallmarked London, 1845

Reflecting the 19th century’s deep reverence for tea, this exceptional pair of Victorian silver tea caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox is housed in a superbly carved ebony case, likely from the Galle district of Ceylon. The cylindrical caddies display low-bellied forms with flared rims and finely engraved tracery and scrolling foliate. . .
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Pair of Victorian Silver Tea Caddies in a Carved Ebony Case
Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Hallmarked London, 1845

Reflecting the 19th century’s deep reverence for tea, this exceptional pair of Victorian silver tea caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox is housed in a superbly carved ebony case, likely from the Galle district of Ceylon. The cylindrical caddies display low-bellied forms with flared rims and finely engraved tracery and scrolling foliate decoration. Six cartouches adorn each caddy, including engraved bouquets, a vacant reserve and the armorial of the Somers family, latterly known as Cocks. The Fox brothers, sons of noted silversmith Charles Fox II, were renowned for their superior craftsmanship and produced fine silver from their London workshops throughout the mid-19th century.

Each cover is surmounted by a charming figural finial in Chinese dress, honoring the origins of tea, which was introduced to England from China in the middle of the 17th century and quickly became a popular luxury item. As a symbol of refinement and social status, the elite safeguarded their precious tea leaves in fine containers such as these.

The caddies rest side by side in a custom-fitted, lockable ebony case, richly carved in high relief with scrolling acanthus leaves in the Rococo manner and lined with blue velvet. The lid is further carved with the Somers-Cocks family armorial. This armorial belonged to the distinguished Somers family of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, originally borne by John Somers, 1st Baron Somers (1651–1716), Lord Chancellor of England. Upon his death, the arms passed through his sister Mary Somers, who married Charles Cocks of Worcester. Their descendants, later known as Somers-Cocks, inherited the arms and titles, including the Barony of Somers, revived in 1784. Notably, Arthur Herbert Cocks, the third son of Charles Cocks, 1st Baron Somers, was married in India in 1847, suggesting a familial link to the Ceylonese origins of this case.

Case: 6 1/2" high x 9 3/4" wide x 6 1/2" deep

Provenance:
Private collection of the Somers family, England
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
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Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Period: 19th Century
Origin: England
Type: Tea Caddies
Style: Victorian
Depth: 6.5 in. (16.51 cm)
Width: 9.75 in. (24.77 cm)
Height: 6.5 in. (16.51 cm)
Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
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Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

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M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in the field, our specialisms range from Old Master pictures to Modern Art masterpieces. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Maritime & Sporting, British Neoclassical and American Illustration.

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For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

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Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

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