Outstanding octagonal inlaid English tea caddy, circa 1790.  Each panel has a swag border design of gold pique dots.  The central shield panel has a more complex surround with a gold central oval, unengraved.  Each panel is separated by a thin tortoise shell band.  The outer lid has similar decoration.  The finial is also finely inlaid.  Lifting the lid reveals an outer band of tortoise with fine inlay inside the lid and on the top of the caddy.  The octagonal inner lid is topped with an ivory finial.  The original silver foil is inside.

Condition:  Mirror glass is cracked; four ivory panels show cracks.  There are repairs to two side panel.  A few vertical tortoise pieces separating the panels are replaced; others show loss.  Before and after restoration photos are available.

Provenance:  Lenox, MA private collection; New York State Auction.