A fine Sheraton period penwork tea caddy - the mahogany ground inlaid with delicate ribbon-tied bell flowers formalised leaf spandrels and a large and ornate shell motif. The oval ground to the shell is harewood, ie: green-stained sycamore and the boxwood of the shell has been sand-scorched to give a three-dimensional effect. The boxwood flowers and leaves are decorated with red penwork. The original zinc lining is intact, which is unusual, as is the lock, ivory escutcheon and key