Pair of Vintage Kenyan Tea Export Crates / Wooden Boxes

Pair of Vintage Kenyan Tea Export Crates / Wooden Boxes

A wonderfully characterful pair of vintage wooden tea crates, originally used for the export of tea from Kenya and retaining a variety of original and later markings from their working lives.

Both crates feature stencilled lettering including “Produce of Kenya” and “Quality Tea from Kenya”, giving them an appealing industrial and commercial history. Other markings are also visible, including references to McMullen Glass / McMullen Dinner Service, suggesting that the crates were subsequently reused for storage or transportation after their original life as tea boxes.

The crates have clearly travelled and been used by various people over the years, and it is precisely this history that gives them their appeal. They retain plenty of knocks, scratches, stains, old writing, worn edges and general signs of use, creating a genuine aged and rustic appearance rather than a manufactured distressed finish.

Ideal as decorative storage boxes, unusual bedside or occasional tables, shop or café display pieces, or for an industrial-style interior. They could also make an interesting upcycling project.

Condition: Well used vintage condition with considerable age-related wear, marks and knocks throughout. There is wear and damage around some of the upper edges, as can be seen in the photographs. They are being sold for their decorative character and history rather than as pristine storage crates.

Dimensions – each approximately:

Width: 40.5cm

Depth: 50.5cm

Height: 61cm

PB474b COPPX 200426

 Price includes delivery to mainland UK with exception of the Highlands.

The age and condition of our furniture is described to the best of our ability, to enable you to make an informed decision prior to purchase - please read the item description carefully.

All our furniture is either antique or second hand, and therefore there may be cosmetic age related surface marks, and or scratches and fading, where identified in the item description.

We kindly request that you review all photographs as these images form an essential part of the item’s description and condition, offering an important visual insight into its appearance and overall quality.

If furniture shows signs of historic worm, we will check that this is inactive and treat accordingly to give both you and us peace of mind. Any signs of historic worm will be described in the description