19th Century Chinese Lacquered Tea Caddy w/Pewter Inner Containers

Make: Chinese Origin

Age: Early-Mid 19th Century

Construction:  Wood, Lacquer, Metal Hinges, Lock

Dimensions:  6" Tall x 9 1/4" Long x 7 1/8" Wide

Condition: Good antique condition. Some cracking/loss of lacquer on lid and front and back of caddy.  Some small cracks/chips in lacquer on inside rim.  Some cracks at seams on interior.  One interior container has large hole in bottom corner. Please see photos. 

Details:  Octagonal wood lidded box with slightly concave sides, lacquered black all over, with intricate gilt decoration.  Center panel of lid and all sides feature lozenge-shaped townscape and court scenes in somewhat faded polychrome. Central panels of lid shoulder all around decorated with hand-gilt dragons with the pearl of wisdom depicted in multiple shades of gold.  Gilt feather design is still just discernible on edge of lid. Gilt carved-wood dragon feet supporting each corner are attached from beneath with screws. Two pewter tea containers are fitted into the box, the top surface of each is chased in geometric and floral designs.  Each container has a recessed inner lid with a central knob of carved ivory in the shape of a pair of pomegranates. The outer lids of the containers are decorated with scenes depicting courtiers.  The containers can easily be lifted out.  One appears to be in near perfect shape, the other has a large hole in the bottom corner that almost appears to have been cut with a torch.  The inside of the lid is decorated in gilt with scenes of workers under bamboo in a rice paddy.  Between is the monogram "ER", also in gilt.

Tea caddies, originally called tea canisters, were imported from China and Japan, where tea was a valuable commodity, and was often locked away.  Beautifully decorated caddies, often with gold decoration on black or red, were popular, and were often displayed on a sideboard as a status symbol.  The term "caddy" is believed to be derived from the Chinese word "catty", a unit of weight for tea.