tea-caddy; box BM-Franks.1688

Period:Qing dynasty Production date:1760-1780 (circa)
Materials:porcelain, pewter,
Technique:glazed, painted,
Subjects:landscape
Dimensions:Height: 11.80 centimetres (box) Height: 11 centimetres (caddies)

Description:
Pewter box with six ‘famille rose’ tea caddies. The straight-sided pewter box and flat cover are made in the shape of a prunus blossom, and contain one five-lobed and five fan-shaped tea caddies and covers, which are neatly fitted inside. The tea caddies are painted on the sides in enamels of the ‘famille rose’ with landscape scenes and flower sprays, and the covers are inscribed in gold with somewhat curiously spelled names of different teas: four black teas named ‘CONGO’ (‘Congou’) on the central vessel, and ‘GOBEE’ (‘Bohea’), ‘SAUCHON’ (‘Souchong’) and ‘PECKO’ (‘Pekoe’) on the surrounding vessels, and two green teas named ‘HEVSAN’ (‘Hyson’) and ‘SINGLO’ (‘Singlo’).
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall and Krahl 1994:Although the tea trade was of major importance for European merchants in China, no other such box, which was apparently used for transporting a selection of tea samples, appears to be recorded. The pewter container had a double purpose: it enabled the porcelain boxes to be safely transported and helped to keep the tea leaves dry and aromatic during shipment. Wooden tea chests used for shipping were lined with an alloy of tin and lead for the same reason. In the west silver tea caddies were also made in sets for different types of tea, and kept in fitted containers, usually of square shape. Black, i.e. fermented, teas were much more popular in 18th-century Europe than green teas-just like today-and could also be kept for longer. The four black teas inscribed on this set were the main kinds exported, ‘Bohea’ being the most sought-after until the late 18th century when the demand for ‘Congou’ became greater (Jorg, 1982, pp. 78 ff.).