An early George III sterling silver tea caddy, London 1763 by Peter Gillois (reg. 20th Nov 1754) Of bombe form with shaped apron base raised upon four cast and applied rocaille scroll feet. The body with embossed auricular type decoration. The pull off lid of rectangular form with re-entrant corners, the domed inner section with repousse leafy forms raised by a cavetto edge with rocaille work, all surmounted by detachable wrythen finial. Some of the embossed decoration later heightened with gilding. Engraved to the side with a crest of a falcon close. Fully marked underneath and with makers mark and lion passant only to lid bezel, finial unmarked. Height – 13.6 cm / 5.3 inches Weight – 302 grams / 9.71 ozt Gillois was a specialist tea caddy and sugar box maker, a Huguenot his mark is distinctly French in appearance. His workshop was registered in Wardour Street, St Anne’s Soho at this time.