Victorian Silver Tea Caddies by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox

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