Description:
A serpentine fronted two compartment papier mâchè tea caddy decorated with chinoiserie painting on an iridescent pearl shell inlay.  

Origin: UK

Circa: 1850

Materials: Papier Mâchè

Size: It measures  8 inches wide  by  5.3 inches deep and it is  5.5 inches  high including feet: 20.8cm wide by 14cm deep by 13.5cm high.

Condition: good overall.

See also 18th and 19th Century Boxes, Style Materials and Methods: Papier Mâchè -

See Hygra: Curvaceous Papier mâché caddy with chinoiserie decoration stamped Jennens & Bettridge, circa 1845.

for further information see 

Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885  Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..

 

 

Inside there are two lidded compartments.

Detail: The paper mâchè is inlaid with  slivers of iridescent mother of pearl and abalone and overprinted with gold and translucent color depicting exotic chinoiserie scenes of imagined Cathy. 

Detail: The paper mâchè is inlaid with  slivers of iridescent mother of pearl and abalone and overprinted with gold and translucent color;  here this extraordinary medium  depicts fantastic plants. These images were inspired by stories of wondrous gardens. The effect of shivering glimmer would have been even more dramatic in the Victorian house lit with flickering candlelight.

The painting and composition is of exceptionally fine quality, which suggests the work of the artist Alsager or another one of the trained artists who decorated important pieces.

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Detail: The lock is marked with a crown above "V.R." ---Victoria Regina, and "PATENT"

Detail: The insides of the compartments retain much of their original leading

Detail: of the turned and carved mother of pearl handles of the supplementary lids

 The caddy is given extra presence by its turned feet.

See: Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885  Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..

There are further pictures of the box illustrated at figure  142 at papier mâchè box exquisitely decorated with an oriental scene in mother of pearl and gilding. Circa 1850