Description:
TC139: A polychromed tea chest painted in a fluid hand with an exotic scene. The elongated figures, the inverted flower hats, and the lightness of execution suggest a knowledge of later more refined chinoiserie design. The top is similarly decorated gently built up into three dimensions using white size and fine plaster gesso  Circa 1820. 

The faces in particular display the sensitivity of the artist; the effect is of ivory.  The feet and drop handles are of strong Regency form. 

Origin: UK  Circa: 1820  Materials: wood with painted decoration.

Size: It measures  12.5 inches wide  by  6.4 inches deep and it is 7.5 inches  high including feet: 31.3 cm wide by 16.2 cm deep by 19 cm  high.

Condition: good overall,  working lock and key,  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. 

there are further pictures at: http://www.hygra.com/tc/tcdg29d.htm 

The inside is decorated with similar colors with emphasis on the use of gold. 

The lift out canisters are in the background black and varnished as the rest of the chest.

 

Front view. The strange perspective showing unconnected buildings and islands on the top part, is characteristic of the whimsy style of chinoiserie.

The composition reflects the descriptions of floating islands in exotic lakes circulated by the artists and travelers, who had ventured to the exotic lands of Cathay. 

The tall female figures with their long feet and large round eyes look European rather than Oriental. A piece which echoes the Sino-European relationships of the early 19th century.

The hats which look like inverted flowers are characteristic of chinoiserie whimsy and an echo of the designs of Jean-Baptiste Pillement.  

Wearing a pumpkin hat, chasing an exotic bird with a spear! A typical English man take on Chinese habits.

Original feet and handles. The handle has a lower disc which is designed to stop the loop from scratching the wooden surface.

The top. There is some loss of built up material in the foreground where the larger building stands. There is evidence of restoration of color in this area otherwise all the painting is original and untouched. 

Detail showing the use of gold and color; also of original varnish. 

The top. There is some loss of built up material in the foreground where the larger building stands. There is evidence of restoration of color in this area otherwise all the painting is original and untouched. 

Detail of the original inside of canister.

It retains the remnants of its original leading.

 The chest is lined with embossed red leather which can be seen when the bowl and and canister are out. 

The inside is decorated with similar colors with emphasis on the use of gold. 

The painting seems to be on a gold leaf ground.

The building is in the mode of Stalker and Parker, whose quirky designs were copied, or used loosely as prototypes, from the end of the 17th century.

Beautifully engraved heavy bowl. 

 The underside is covered in the original hand marbled paper. 

A figure in front of a garden building which looks decidedly fragile; typical chinoiserie interpretation where fantasy rules.