Where Every Antique Has a Story to Tell
Forever Valuable in Your Heart
Dr. John E. Crews Antiques offers a wide range of English boxes—dating from 1770 to about 1880—including tea caddies, workboxes, and writing boxes. The boxes listed on this page represent a small portion of our available inventory. We typically have 350-400 boxes of all styles and at all price points available to our customers.
Burr Yew and Partridge wood octagonal tea caddies, dating about 1800. Interesting to see same form with differing timbers. Both caddies are perfectly square with no warp. #2751 & 2894
Expertly restored single tea caddy with French polish. About 4 1/2 inches square. Dates about 1790
#2878
Lovely Georgian single tea caddy with ebony and boxwood string. Mahogany, dating about 1790. #2927
This is an expertly restored double tea caddy in flame mahogany with mahogany banding. Dates about 1790. #2877
This is an expertly restored early writing box dating about 1800. Has wonderful campaign brass on each corner with blank brass cartouche and brass bail handles. The new burgundy leather is tooled with gold embossing. Measures 12 by 10 by 4.
This is a remarkable early painted single tea caddy. About 4 1/2 inches wide with dome top. See p. 83 of Clarke and O'Kelly. #2886
This is a sweet Regency table box in partridge wood. Has lion face handles and lion paw feet. Measures about 8 inches wide. Dates about 1810-1820. #2941
This makes for an engaging collection of octagonal caddies in various timbers and detail. Two on right are burr yew. Note the delicate Neoclassical silver on copper handle on the right back. Left bottom has considerable inlay on sides and lid. All date about 1800.
This is a brass banded writing box in figured walnut. Probably dates about 1880 or so. The skiver (leather) has been replaced with an embossed, highly tooled leather. The box has two keys--one for the box and one for the interior compartment. It also has two secret drawers that are accessed by lifting one of the dividers. The slope is in perfect condition and expertly restored. It measures about 15 1/2 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 7 inches tall when closed. #2910
Just love Regency caddies. Here are two in a sarcophagus form with slight volume. One is burr yew and the other partridge wood. Note the lion face and basket handles and brass ball feet. About 8 inches wide. Burr yew has vacant interior.
I try to acquire as many of these Regency caddies as I can, so I always have some available. Please write.
This is a Tunbridge micro mosaic two compartment tea caddy in pristine condition. It had floral marquetry on all slides and tumbling block on the lid and internal compartment lids. Simply a remarkable object.
A box is a box. On the left is an assortment of small book boxes in a variety of timbers. Some were fashioned into banks, secret storage compartments, puzzle boxes, and snuff boxes.
On the right is a display of snuff boxes in wood, papier mache, and pewter.
We always have a small inventory of these boxes available. Please write.
This is a Regency sarcophagus form table box dating about 1810. Has multiple mahogany veneers with straight and figured grain. Has box wood stringing and tulip wood banding. Sits on brass lion paw feet with ring handles on the sides. The box has a deep blue reline. It measures 12 inches wide, 9 inches deep, and a shade over 5 inches tall.
Early Mahogany Writing Slope
This is a stunning fully restored early writing box. It features early bail handles, and campaign brass reinforcements on the corners. The slope has an underdrawer for storage and a lectern feature allowing the lid to be propped up to hold reading material. It, of course, has a secret compartment as well as two candle sconces to illuminate the writing surface.
The writing slope has a new highly tooled burgundy leather (skiver). All the brasses have been polished, and it has a fine French polish.
The box measures 17 3/4 inches wide, 9 3/4 inches deep (closed), and 6 inches tall. I suspect this box dates about 1800.
Here are two tortoise shell tea caddies in perfect condition. The finish just glows. No chips, dings, or missing veneers.
The one on the left measures 7 5/8 inches wide, 4 3/4 inches deep, and 6 inches tall.
The pagoda form sarcophagus caddy on the right is 7 inches wide, 4 1/2 inches deep, and 5 3/4 inches tall.
This is a Neoclassical two compartment tea box with a mixing bowl. The box dates about 1790-1810 and is in perfect condition with original finish over partridge wood veneers. The box has a small silver plate ring handle typical of the period. Interior is original and has lift out canisters.
The tea box measures 12 inches wide, 5 3/4 inches tall, and 6 inches deep.
I am not sure I want to sell this wonderful box. It is in my collection and I think it is a distinctive and imposing form. It is a dome top burr yew box with probably tulip wood banding. It has heavy early brass handles. The interior is vacant and has a nicely done reline.
I suspect the box dates about 1800.
It measures 12 inches wide, 6 1/8 inches deep, and 6 3/4 inches tall. This would have been a very difficult box to construct in its day.
This is a figured walnut jewelry box dating about 1860-1880.
The box has been carefully selected, cleaned, rewaxed, and relined.
I always have several like this in stock, so please ask for information.
This box probably started out as a sewing box. It is made of figured English walnut with mother of pearl cartouche and escutcheon. The box has a high quality reline.
Often boxes like these were made in figured or burr walnut. They generally measure about 12 inches wide, 8 inches deep and about 5 inches high.
I always have boxes like this available. Please write for information regarding available boxes.
Mother of Pearl Tea Boxes
Here are two mother of pearl tea boxes. Both are in perfect condition. One single compartment and one with two compartments.
The larger one measures 5 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and 3 3/4 inches tall. The smaller one is 4 1/2 inches wide, 3 inches deep, and 3 1/4 inches high.
This is a Tunbridge micro mosaic single tea caddy. Tunbridge Wells had springs which attracted people for their alleged medicinal qualities. Local craftsmen made box and other objects in this distinctive and striking micro mosaic.
Figured Walnut Stationery Box
Figured walnut stationery dome top box with applied brass banding, Measures 9 inches wide, 6 3/4 inches tall.
c. 1860-1880, #1301
Most of the objects below have been sold, but they represent the quality and style of boxes in my inventory. Please ask about recent acquisitions
Apothecary Box
This is a rare and stunning apothecary box dating about 1840. The box measures 12 1/2 inches wide, 6 3/4 inches deep, and 6 inches high. It retains most of its original contents, including medicine bottles, a scale and weights, mortar and pestle, and measuring beaker. The label in the lid reads "Savory & Moore, Chemists to the Queen, 43 New Bond Street and 220 Regent St., London." Please email for additional photos. Sorry SOLD
Stunning Mahogany Tri-Fold Writing Box
This is a remarkable early (about 1820) dense, dark mahogany tri-fold portable writing box. It measures 17 3/4 inches wide, 10 1/2 inches deep when closed, and 6 1/4 inches high. It has brass campaign reinforcements, and a brass escutcheon and blank cartouche. The leather is new and is a dark burgundy with lovely gold embossing. Note the lid stands upright with stop hinges so the user can access the rick rack storage in the lid. This box features two secret compartments behind a panel in the middle section. Photos below show the box part way open and shows the secret drawer. The smaller tri-fold sits atop this one to give a sense of size and proportion, and the final photo shows the box all dressed up. SOLD
Burr / Figured Walnut Table Box
Table/ Jewelry box with burr and figured walnut veneer with lift out tray. Relined and ready for display.
c. 1860-1880.
Banded Chippendale Tea Chest
This is an early mahogany tea chest dating about 1770-1790. The handle and escutcheon reflect a distinct Rococo influence. The three compartments have lids, probably a later addition. The banding on the lid is a particularly engaging feature.
French Perfume Boxes
Here are two French perfume boxes with undamaged bottles. Both boxes date about 1880 and are completely original and unrestored. The one on the left I believe to be amboyna with tulip wood or kings wood banding and brass stringing and a mother of pearl cartouche. The one on the right has a dark burr wood, with brass stringing and ebony banding. They each measure 5 1/2 inches wide, 3 1/8 inches deep, and 4 inches high. SORRY SOLD
Mahogany Caddies
Here are two lovely mahogany caddies. The one on the left is Regency dating about 1820. It has boxwood stringing and sits on brass ball feet. It has brass basket handles, and is 7 1/2 inches wide. Interior is original. The one on the right is earlier, about 1790. Made of flame mahogany. Great color. It is 5 1/2 inches wide, 4 1/2 inches deep, and 4 1/2 inches high. SORRY SOLD
Small French Boxes
These are two very different boxes, each with much character. The one on the left in amboyna with kingswood or tulip banding. Original silk lining . One of the right is mahogany with with satinwood banding and inlay. Sits on sweet little brass feet. Both have original keys.
Perfume Boxes
These are two perfume boxes, dating about 60 years apart. The one on the left is mahogany with an internal compartment and three undamaged bottles. Dates about 1820. The one on the right dates about 1880, made of walnut with applied brass detail. Two bottles are undamaged.
French Banded Box
This is just a striking French satinwood box with stunning burr walnut banding and applied brass detail on corners of the slightly rounded lid. The box is 9 5/8 inches wide, 6 inches deep. and about 5 inches high.
Mahogany Sarcophagus Tea Box
The photo does not do justice to the color and richness of the mahogany. If you look closely, you can see the rare fiddleback pattern of the timber. Note the fan cartouche on the lid of this sarcophagus form, and the banding along the base. This tea chest sits on brass ball feet, and has brass handles and escutcheon. The box is 10 inches wide and about 7 1/2 inches high.
Mahogany Chippendale Tea Chests
Here are two 1770-1790 Mahogany tea chests. Same period with slightly different forms. The one on the left has great bracket feet, and lids to two cannisters. The one on the right is a nice small size--8 inches wide--with a single lid covering two compartments.
Treen
Treen is a term loosely used to describe wooden objects. Here are two wooden snuff boxes--one is 2 inches, the other 2 1/2 inches. Lids close nicely. The object on the right is a wooden vesta. Vestas were used to hold matches which tended to be unstable, so they had their own case. I have never seen one in wood before.
Mahogany Table Box
This box has great color and form. It is a mahogany sewing or jewelry box with a lift out tray. The dragooning on the lid and along the base gives the sarcophagus form a dramatic feel. Note the brass handles on the sides. This box probably dates about 1820 since dragooning was particularly popular in England and America at that time. It measures 11 inches wide and 7 1/2 inches deep. Sorry Sold
Dome Top Tea Chest
This figured walnut dome top tea caddy has terrific, deep color, complemented by applied brass detail. The interior has the original blue lining and original figured walnut lids. This caddy dates between 1860 and 1880. Sorry Sold
Ink Stands
Late Victorian/ Edwardian ink stands with applied brass detail & handles, drawers, and ink wells.
10 1/2 inches (L) & 9 1/2 (R). c. 1880-1900.
#1302 & 1306
Writing Boxes
We always have a large selection of writing slopes, ranging in width from 12 to 22 inches. All are display ready with new leathers. Some have secret drawers and other features.
Boulle Ink Stand
Striking boulle ink stand with drawer and ink wells.
Wide Selection of Antique English Boxes
A selection of antique English boxes (including tea caddies, table /jewelry boxes, and writing slopes) are available each month at Scott's Antiques Market in Atlanta. We will display about 225 boxes to meet your particular interests.
Example of Antique English Boxes
This is a sampling of antique English boxes available each month at Scotts Antiques Market.
Writing and Desk Accessories
Many devices were required to produce a document or letter.
Scrapers were used to remove errors in documents on parchment or vellum (sheep skin).
Quill cutters were used to sharpen nibs of quill pens.
Porcupline quill dip pens were adapted with metal nibs.
Documents were sealed wax seals.
Page turners and book marks on the far left were made the micro mosaic Tunbridge style.
We carry a large selection of scrapers, wax seals, and dip pens.
Stunning Miniature Hutch/Miniature Chest
I suspect this miniature chest reflects furniture design from about 1820. Note the piercing in the back, the unusual construction of the feet, and the dovetail construction on top.
A remarkable, desirable miniature.
Traveling Ink Wells
Inkwells were made of a variety of materials--including glass, porceline, and metal.
These inwells were mostly used in portable writing desks.
We have a large selection in singles and pairs.
Clever Items
The object at the top is a guinea scale with an early one guinea weight. Dates about 1800.
In the middle are three early 20th Century miniature domino sets.
On either side are go-to-beds used in the Victorian period to provide illumination after turning off lamps and getting into bed. The one on the left was fitted with a taper; it might have been used for melting wax for a wax seal.
Miniature Chests
These two mahogany miniature chests both date about 1840. Drawers are graduated and dovetailed. Each represents a wonderful form made by skilled craftsman.
Figured Walnut Banded Caddies
Here are two lovely dome top figured walnut Tunbridge banded tea boxes. Great color and form. Each dates about 1860-1880. These have sold, but we usually have a nice selection of dome top boxes.
Walnut Table Boxes
These two boxes are each made of figured walnut with Tunbridge style banding. Each has been carefully relined and the one on the left is fitted with a tray. These boxes date between 1860 and 1880.
Chippendale Tea Boxes
Each of these tea boxes is characteristic of Chippendale caddies made between 1770 and 1790. Each is made of early dense mahogany. The one on the left has barber pole stringing and wonderful bracket feet. Each has early bail handles typical of the period.
Small Tunbridge Boxes
The community around Tunbridge Wells made a variety of gifts for the visitors to the local springs. These small stamp and trinket boxes represent the remarkable craftsmanship of micro mosaic Tunbridge inlay.
