Regency Mahogany Tea Chest Robert Wright

From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Regency Cuban Mahogany Tea Chest by Robert Wright. The Tea Chest of sarcophagus shape with a pagoda top and subtle bombe-shaped body stands upon four pressed and gilded lion brass feet. The Tea Chest with a radiating starburst design across the lid with gadrooned sides and moulding surrounding the base. A gilded brass scrolling escutcheon features to the front with twin loop handles on each side. When opened the Tea Chest reveals a central hand-cut glass sugar bowl flanked by twin removable Tea Caddies with hinged lids. The front edge is stamped with a rare Cabinet Makers mark which reads: “R. Wright Bond Street Hull” a known Cabinet maker from Hull, England featured in the directory of British and Irish Furniture Makers. The Tea Chest dates to the early 19th century during the Regency period.

The Tea Chest comes complete with working lock and tasselled key

Cuban Mahogany colour can vary a fair amount with Cuban Mahogany, from a pale pinkish brown to a darker reddish brown. Typically, the denser the wood, the darker the colour. and the colour tends to darken with age. Cuban Mahogany also exhibits an optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy which is an illusion of bright lustre or shimmer in the grain. It is easily worked, turns well and finishes extremely well. For the most part, Cuban Mahogany is no longer commercially available. Very small quantities are occasionally made available, which tend to be very expensive.

Robert Wright was first mentioned in the 1791 Hull directory when he was a joiner in Blanket Row. From around 1810 he was a known cabinet maker at 20 Bond Street, Hull and from 1823-1831 he was registered at 38-39 Bond Street. It is believed that Wright died circa 1831 as his name was not published again after this year. It is believed that Wright ran a small family business and therefore did not produce a huge amount of work due to a lack of capital. It is believed as well as being a cabinet maker Wright also undertook upholstery work and worked as an undertaker.

Regency is an era of British history between 1811 to 1820. The Regency era was initiated by King George III first suffered a debilitating illness in the late 1780s. He relapsed into his mental illness in 1810 and by the Regency Act in 1811 his eldest son George, Prince of Wales, was appointed prince regent to discharge royal functions. When George III died in 1820, the Prince Regent succeeded him as George IV.

Measurements (centimetres) 23cm High x 35cm Wide x 17cm Deep