Description:
A Finely Drawn Penwork tea  Caddy of Particular Interest Dated 1845 decorated inside and out with penwork depicting the cultural and social interchange of east and west.

The scenes inside and outside are well orchestrated. They are all interesting in that they have cultural references relating to the early 19^th century social interchange between East and West. 

This is much rarer than scenes of oriental life seen in isolation. 

Origin: United Kingdom

Circa: 1845

Materials: plain wood, patinated brass mounts

Size: It measures 9.3 inches wide  by  5.2 inches deep and it is  5.9 inches  high including feet: 23.8cm wide by cm 13.2deep by 15cm high.

Condition: good overall retains its original varnish and integrity see images.

The person who drew the faces on this caddy had artistic sensitivity and skill. The faces have been drawn with distinctive expressions which hint at personality and character and thus lift up the figures above genre painting.   

A date of 1845 is drawn on the pot in the inner lid. This is quite late for this type of caddy, which is still very rooted in the Regency rather than the Victorian tradition.  

Inside the caddy has two compartments with subsidiary lids with stylised floral decoration and turned knobs.

The face of this lady at the front is beautifully serene.

A date of 1845 is drawn on the pot in the inner lid. This is quite late for this type of caddy, which is still very rooted in the Regency rather than the Victorian tradition.  

The top depicts a peacock amongst stylized flowers drawn in the formal genre reminiscent of early embroidery.

The floral framing is formal, again consistent with early 19^th century work, some of the background ‘fill in’ reminiscent of embroidery stitching.

The framing vine motif harks back to the neoclassicism of the late 18^th century. It is symmetrical and formal but still fluid

The back: the figures playing with a bird are European. Only the little boy is definitely oriental. The seated figure is dressed entirely in European clothes.

European lady holding a bird cage. Interest in birds was strong both in the orient and in England. It is not surprising that it is one of the subjects on this caddy.

The boy  looks as if he has his Aladdin lamp on the ground.

Side: On one side there are figures of indistinguishable nationality arriving on the shore. It is the boats and the traveling which are important here. Traveling was both a novelty and an adventure.

Front: These figures appear to be Chinese. One is smoking a long pipe, a reference to the opium trade promoted by the British.

Detail of front. The scene is well composed with the figures both relaxed and involved in their activity. 

Side: This is a mixed nationality scene. A European lady is shown the way by an oriental man and child. 

The Oriental man is showing the way in his flowing robe and pointed hat to a distinctly European portly lady.

 

Details: Lady with large oriental fan. She wears an oriental Rank badge.

The Oriental man is showing the way in his flowing robe and pointed hat 

Distinctly European portly lady.

European lady holding a bird cage. Interest in birds was strong both in the orient and in England. It is not surprising that it is one of the subjects on this caddy.

Bird in hand.

The boy at the back looks as if he has his Aladdin lamp on the ground.

Front: These figures appear to be Chinese. One is smoking a long pipe, a reference to the opium trade promoted by the British.

see: Tea and Opium

Detail of front. The scene is well composed with the figures both relaxed and involved in their activity. 

Detail showing a Chinese vase and railings.

Detail of front. The scene is well composed with the figures both relaxed and involved in their activity. 

These figures appear to be Chinese. One is smoking a long pipe, a reference to the opium trade promoted by the British.

A

The top depicts a peacock amongst stylized flowers drawn in the formal genre reminiscent of early embroidery.

Side: On one side there are figures of indistinguishable nationality arriving on the shore. It is the boats and the traveling which are important here. Traveling was both a novelty and an adventure.

Oriental man showing the way in his flowing robe and pointed hat.

Distinctly European portly lady.

The figures on the inside are all oriental. The scene is pure chinoiserie. 

 

The birds, plants and buildings are all drawn in this genre. However on the very Chinese pot, redolent of oriental symbolism, we find the date and the letters M and H. Presumably these are initials of the artist, or the person the caddy was given to. It was marked as a recognition of its special value to the owner.

The double cornucopia drop ring  handle is in Regency style and it is of pressed brass. 

The lids have stylized floral decoration and turned knobs.

 There are remnants of the original foil on the insides of the tea canisters.  

Detail of the underside of the caddy with turned wooden feet and facings. it all looks undisturbed and original

The scenes inside and outside are well orchestrated. They are all interesting in that they have cultural references relating to the early 19^th century social interchange between East and West. This is much rarer than scenes of oriental life seen in isolation. 

Inside the caddy has two compartments with subsidiary lids with stylised floral decoration and turned knobs.