A Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, Austria Circa 1830
 
A most complicated tea caddy both in terms of form & materials, showing a hinged lid centred by a raised lozenge in burr yew inset with quarter-round spandrels of figured heartwood within a cross-banded border, the outer edge trimmed with roey-figured Ceylonese satinwood mouldings and kingwood banding. The bombe body veneered in richly figured amboyna & sided by ring pulls with embossed circular back-plates, the interior housing a most striking amboyna and zebrawood panel showing twin oval recesses fitted with conforming lids of burr yew, over a compartment retaining remnants of lead paper lining. All rising from a zebrawood banded base, the underside lined with remnants of old textured red paper and raised overall on four giltwood ball feet. Retaining what appears to be its original lock mechanism and exhibiting a fine old finish overall. Some slight fading to the top and one side, one minor separation to the lids interior.
 
Dimensions, 6.25” high x 10.75” wide x 6.5” deep.