Antique German Silver Tea Caddy c.1800

An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique German silver tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique 800 standard silver tea caddy has a rectangular form with cut corners, in the classic European form. The surface of the tea caddy is plain and unembellished. The arched upper portion of the body incorporates a cylindrical sleeve and retains the original domed push fit cover, encircled with further tooled decoration. The upper portion of the cover is surmounted with a circular rounded finial. The tool decorated, moulded rim to the lower portion of the body accommodates the original detachable hallmarked, sliding plateau. The underside of the plateau is embellished with the contemporary engraved inscription 'Dorothea Jacobs, de Pate, Margaratha Dorothea Hisfer, 1800', in addition to the maker's mark (Mit). This antique German silver tea caddy has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton Xl2 Analyzer) and verified as 800 standard silver. Note: Early Georgian tea canisters/caddies in this style were fitted with a domed cover suitable for measuring tea in addition to a sliding base or top to facilitate filling. The sliding base would also enable a lead liner to be inserted, which would keep the tea fresh for longer. A tea caddy of this style is traditionally plain with moulded borders, enabling a simple crest or set of initials as embellishment. Maker: Untraced Maker's Mark Origin: Germany, Europe (Strong Probability)