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Two compartment tea caddy decorated with Chinoiserie executed in inlaid mother of pearl.  On first sight this looks like papier mâché but it is in fact ebonised wood decorated in a manner which suggests papier mâché. The top is decorated with figures in a landscape with buildings. This exotic fantastical scene is  rooted in the Chinoiserie tradition, which reflected both the narratives and drawings brought back from the East by the first explorer/traders. One feature of the orient which captured the imagination of the Europeans was the extensive ornamental gardens complete with lakes and small islands, enjoyed by the cultural elite. 
The figures and the wonderful little dog are executed in subtly coloured shell. Note the figure with the hat; in certain light his trousers look green and his tunic pink and his hat even pinker. The slightly raised faces and hands are built up and painted. There is an over-painting of lines in gold leaf which are in almost miraculous condition and have not been rubbed off by an over zealous duster. The movement is wonderful, the figures elegantly swaying towards the seated man in the center. The expressions on the faces are suggested by minimal but effective lines. Inside the caddy is lined with embossed foil and has two supplementary lids.

Origin: France;  Circa: 1850 ; Materials: .

Size: 25.5 cm wide by 14.2 cm by 12 cm:   10 inches wide by  5.6  inches by 4.7 inches.

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. 

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On first sight this looks like papier mâché but it is in fact ebonised wood decorated in a manner which suggests papier mâché. 

The two main pictures are framed in stylized designs in the Chinese tradition   and made up of colored mother of pearl and abalone shell with gold dots. 

The almost austere lines of the surrounds contrast with the fluid light compositions of the pictorial decoration.

 

Front: Two figures in a garden one lightly sitting on an elaborate garden seat. Is one taking leave of the other? Or are they about to dance.

Inside the caddy is lined with embossed foil and has two supplementary lids.

The top is decorated with figures in a landscape with buildings. This rooted in the Chinoiserie tradition, which reflected both the narratives and drawings brought back from the East by the first explorer/traders. One feature of the orient which captured the imagination of the Europeans was the extensive ornamental gardens complete with lakes and small islands, enjoyed by the cultural elite.

The figures and the wonderful little dog are executed in subtly coloured shell. Note the figure with the hat; in certain light his trousers look green and his tunic pink and his hat even pinker. The slightly raised faces and hands are built up and painted. There is an over-painting of lines in gold leaf which are in almost miraculous condition and have not been rubbed off by an over zealous duster. The movement is wonderful, the figures elegantly swaying towards the seated man in the centre. The expressions on the faces are suggested by minimal but effective lines.

 

Inside there are two compartments with supplementary lids. The entire is lined with original embossed foil. The lids have two turned bone pulls. 

Inside the caddy is lined with embossed foil and has two supplementary lids.

The top is decorated with figures in a landscape with buildings. This rooted in the Chinoiserie tradition, which reflected both the narratives and drawings brought back from the East by the first explorer/traders. 

One feature of the orient which captured the imagination of the Europeans was the extensive ornamental gardens complete with lakes and small islands, enjoyed by the cultural elite.

Front: 
Two figures in a garden one lightly sitting on an elaborate garden seat. Is one taking leave of the other? Or are they about to dance.

The figures and the wonderful little dog are executed in subtly coloured shell.

There is an over-painting of lines in gold leaf which are in almost miraculous condition and have not been rubbed off by an over zealous duster. 

The movement is wonderful;  the figures elegantly swaying towards the seated man in the center. The expressions on the faces are suggested by minimal but effective lines.

The round hole in the lock plate is one of the signals that the tea caddy is of French manufacture.