19Th Century Ceylonese Tortoise Tea Caddy.

19th Century Ceylonese Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy

A rare and highly decorative 19th century Ceylonese tortoiseshell tea caddy, finely crafted in the form of a stylised tortoise. The hinged lid opens to reveal a beautifully inlaid interior, featuring an intricate geometric star motif in contrasting light and dark woods, typical of Sri Lankan workmanship of the period.

The exterior displays the rich, translucent amber tones and natural mottling characteristic of genuine tortoiseshell, carefully shaped to create the domed shell and detailed body. The interior retains its original lidded compartment, likely once used to store precious loose-leaf tea, reflecting the importance and value of tea during the 19th century.