Vintage Bushells Metal Tea Box with Australian Wildlife Design

This vintage Bushells metal tea box is a charming piece of Australiana, rich with both history and character. Decorated in soft tones of turquoise and green, it features a delightful series of wildlife illustrations including a kangaroo, koala, kookaburra, and emu, all set against a painted landscape scene. The design is whimsical yet nostalgic, reflecting a time when everyday packaging was created with artistry and care.

Measuring approximately 16 centimetres high, 11 centimetres wide, and 10 centimetres deep, this rectangular tin once held loose-leaf tea for the Australian brand Bushells, founded in the late nineteenth century. The company became known for its distinctive marketing and colourful tins, which are now highly collectable worldwide. The hinged lid is printed with the Bushells logo, while the body retains its original vibrant colours and charming patina from years of use.

There’s an endearing authenticity to this piece. The light surface wear, small patches of rust, and gentle fading tell the story of its long life, qualities that make vintage packaging so visually appealing. Inside, the metal has aged to a soft golden hue, still entirely usable for dry storage should you wish to repurpose it.

For styling, this tea box works beautifully as a conversation piece on open shelving or in a kitchen display. It can be grouped with other tins and ceramics to create a curated, layered look, or used as a quirky storage container for tea bags, dried flowers, or artist materials. Its turquoise background and illustrated wildlife scenes make it particularly eye-catching in spaces with natural textures such as wood, linen, or rattan.

Pieces like this bring a sense of warmth and storytelling to the home, reminding us how design once blended the functional with the beautiful. Whether collected for its branding, illustration, or cultural heritage, this Bushells tin offers both nostalgia and decorative charm in equal measure.

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