tea-caddy BM-Franks.1424

Period:Qing dynasty Production date:1730-1740 (circa)
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, painted,

Dimensions:Height: 10.80 centimetres Weight: 822 grammes Width: 8 centimetres Depth: 5.30 centimetres

Description:
‘Famille rose’ tea caddy with a monogram. The vessel is rectangular in section, with flat front and reverse and barbed sides, and has a matching angular cover. Both front and reverse are painted with entwined initials, perhaps ‘C and ‘J’, on an oval blue medallion, enclosed by a laurel wreath and surmounted by a coronet, and at the sides the initials are repeated on a paler blue shield, all on a ground of golden Y-diaper. The upper corners and the top of the cover are painted with flower scrolls, the top of the shoulder and sides of the cover with diaper designs.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall and Krahl 1994:Tea caddies were in Europe used for keeping tea leaves and were made both of silver and porcelain. The Western prototypes came originally in sets, placed in a fitted container, and were therefore rectangular in section, for easy storage.