Featured Tea chest?

My parents bought this chest many years ago, and I have it now. They were told it was an 18th century tea chest. It is lined with sheet lead, and the joinery is solid. I think it had an inset lock originally, but the mortise has been filled in, and a hasp put on. I have no idea when that might've been done, certainly before my parents acquired it in the 1950's.

Anyone have thoughts about a more definite age, and if it is indeed a tea chest?

 

It appears to be lined with galvanized tin, rather than lead?
How big is it? Dimensions?

 

The foot print is 34 inches wide, 22 from front to back, height to top of box is 17 inches, the lid is 4 inches thick.

The lining is not galvanized tin. It's sheet lead, that can be easily bent, and a fingernail can leave an impression.

 

Did you mean galvanized steel?Tin can't be galvanized,maybe you were thinking tinned steel.

 

Yes, thanks!

 

The metal lining this chest is not galvanized. It is very soft, bends easily, and can be dented with a fingernail.

 

Seems awfully large for tea. Maybe a cooler? Could it have held ice or water without leaking all over the place?

 

No drain, and it's lined with lead.

 

It won't be lead if it's a tea caddy. It will be zinc. However, it's far too big for tea, which was an expensive commodity, so tea boxes/caddies were far smaller, especially 18th C ones. Tea caddies were also compartmentalised, so that you could make your own mix of black and green.

 

Exactly, but not necessarily only wine.
Search google images for lead lined cellarette.

 

it's a handsome box.,

 

Yes, the interior is about 13 inches deep.

 

Is there a way to determine it's age and country of origin based on the style?

 

i'd venture English.....but more than that....??

 

Agree, too large for tea. Cellarette makes a lot more sense. Would think last quarter of the 19th century.

 

Another vote for cellarette. The sacrophagus shaped lid was also used for tea caddies, which could be where the confusion originated.
Those lids came in in the late 18th century, but the squared feet and general sturdy construction are more second half of the 19th century. The shape of the cartouches have a hint of Gothic Revival, which also points to mid-late 19th century.
My guess would be American.

 

English Victorian ones normally have legs or at least longer ones than that has. Or are on stands. It also just doesn't look right for here - I do wonder if it's been cut down.

 

It looks like it could have been made like this. Maybe this was the way they were made in North America?