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A Chinese export lacquer tea caddy depicting groups of birds highlighted in red lacquer. Circa 1840. 

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Reference: TC130

Description:
TC130: A Chinese export lacquer tea caddy in reddish earth colored lacquer having rounded corners decorated with two colors of gold depicting groups of birds highlighted in red lacquer. Circa 1840. 

The top has raised gold lacquer giving a three dimensional quality.

 Origin: China Circa: 1840 Materials: wood lacquer

Size: It measures 7 inches wide  by  6.6 inches deep and it is 3.7 inches  high including feet: 18 cm wide by 12.5 cm deep by cm 9.5 high.

Condition: good overall,   see images.
As each person has different criteria and antiques by their very nature have wear  please enlarge the images and ask for extra information as needed. 

 

TC130: A Chinese export lacquer tea caddy in reddish earth colored lacquer having rounded corners decorated with two colors of gold depicting groups of birds highlighted in red lacquer. Circa 1840. Enlarge Picture

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TC130: A Chinese export lacquer tea caddy in reddish earth colored lacquer having rounded corners decorated with two colors of gold depicting groups of birds highlighted in red lacquer. Circa 1840. Enlarge Picture

Originally there would have been a lift out pewter canister. This is missing.

The facings are decorated with a formal leafy design in gold.

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TC130: A Chinese export lacquer tea caddy in reddish earth colored lacquer having rounded corners decorated with two colors of gold depicting groups of birds highlighted in red lacquer. Circa 1840. Enlarge Picture

Birds have symbolic and mythical meanings for the Chinese. They are not a usual subject in export lacquer ware. There are many stories of  people who speak bird language escaping danger helped by the birds.

The birds here are orioles, the harbingers of joy and music and the symbols of friendship.

Here the birds are beautifully painted in two colors of gold. Detail is picked out in black lacquer. The feet and tongues are red lacquer.

 

 

For comparison see  Figure 233 Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885  Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors

TC130: A Chinese export lacquer tea caddy in reddish earth colored lacquer having rounded corners decorated with two colors of gold depicting groups of birds highlighted in red lacquer. Circa 1840.  Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge

It is very interesting to note that it is rarer to have birds depicted in Chinese lacquer than in English chinoiserie. 

Enlarge Picture

 

Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge or   | slide show  |thumbnail index | Request current  list of available tea caddies.

 

The top has raised lacquer giving a three dimensional quality.

The scenes on each side of the caddy are different. The butterfly in the top left hand corner adds to the interest. Butterflies are rich in symbolism and feature in many Chinese stories.

 

Enlarge Picture

 

Birds have symbolic and mythical meanings for the Chinese. They are not a usual subject in export lacquerware. There are many stories of of people who speak bird language escaping danger helped by the birds. Enlarge Picture

Birds have symbolic and mythical meanings for the Chinese. They are not a usual subject in export lacquer ware. There are many stories of of people who speak bird language escaping danger helped by the birds.

Here the birds are beautifully painted in two colors of gold. Detail is picked out in black lacquer. The feet and tongues are red lacquer.

Unusually, for Chinese Export lacquer the birds are in raised lacquer giving a 3D effect.

Please click on images to enlarge or   | slide show  |thumbnail index | Request current  list of available tea caddies.

 

Enlarge Picture

 

Please click on images to enlarge or   | slide show  |thumbnail index | Request current  list of available tea caddies.

 

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2011 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com