Antique Victorian late 19th century or early 20th century mahogany tea caddy this lovely small tea caddy would make a great addition to any collector or display piece ( the interior would have been lined now missing) some age related wear 
Would make a great desk tidy pens etc 
12 cm tall 
8 cm depth 
12 cm wide 
Tea caddies originated in the 17th century as a way for the wealthy to safely store valuable tea leaves, initially appearing as Chinese porcelain canisters. By the 18th century, they became decorative, elaborate status symbols for the rich, made from expensive materials like mahogany, silver, or shagreen, and were often kept in the drawing-room. As tea became more affordable in the late 18th century, a greater variety of caddies were produced to meet growing demand. 
Early history and evolution
17th Century: The first tea caddies were imported from China as porcelain "tea canisters," often blue and white and similar in shape to ginger jars. They were a practical, though rare, necessity because of the high cost of tea.
18th Century: The word "caddy" became more common, possibly derived from the Chinese unit of weight "catty".
Initially, they were lockable and served as a display of wealth.
As tea became more widely consumed, decorative caddies were placed on the table and became fashionable accessories.
Materials expanded to include porcelain, faience, silver, shagreen, and tortoiseshell.
Matching sets with a sugar bowl or a glass bowl became popular, often fitted into a wooden case.
19th Century: With tea becoming cheaper and more accessible, the variety and types of tea caddies expanded significantly.
Designs shifted to more ornate wooden boxes, with materials like rosewood and satinwood becoming popular.
They were often ornate, with designs inspired by classical forms and other art movements. 
Key facts
Purpose: To store expensive tea leaves safely and prevent them from being taken by servants, which eventually led to them becoming a status symbol displayed in the drawing-room.
Origin of the word: Believed to come from the Chinese "catty," a unit of weight used to sell tea.
Materials: Started with porcelain, then expanded to silver, shagreen, tortoiseshell, and various woods like mahogany, rosewood, and satinwood.
Decorative sets: The development of matching tea caddy sets, containing caddies for different types of tea and a sugar bowl, became common in the 18th century.