Georgian Octagonal Shagreen Tea Caddy with Metal Nautical Finial For Sale

This Georgian-era tea caddy features authentic shagreen, a luxury material made from shark or ray skin that was highly prized in 18th-century decorative arts for its distinctive pebbled texture. Tea caddies of this period were essential status symbols in elite households, designed to protect expensive loose-leaf tea. The octagonal form and decorative nautical metal finial reflects the refined craftsmanship of the time. Shagreen items from the 18th century are sought after by collectors due to their aesthetic appeal, the labor-intensive nature of working with the material, and their historical association with the tea trade. Caddy does not lock, key is not original.