Tea Mix Box, England 19th Century.

Box for mixing teas in mahogany veneered wood, rectangular in shape topped with a 4-sided lid topped with a mahogany ball serving as a grip to open the box.
It rests on 4 mahogany “ball” feet.
The front face and the 2 sides have black wood fillet inlays.
The interior is divided into 3 compartments: 2 wooden tea boxes - equipped with their lid - frame the central compartment which accommodates the mixing glass.
The thick glass, in perfect condition, has a ribbed edge.
The inside of the hinged lid is lined with original yellow wallpaper with white and black patterns. We find a reminder of this paper around the edge of the housing receiving the glass.
A ring held by a plate in the shape of a fruit basket adorns each side of the box.

This type of box was common in salons in the 19th century. The mistress of the house made her own blend of teas (from China and India), the glass being used to make this blend in a “ceremonial” manner.

Beautiful decorative object.
Some gaps for the fine encrusted stones and small liftings in the veneer.
England, 19th century period.