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A Rare Chinese Export Lacquer tea caddy of oval form with gilt decoration Circa 1780
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Description:
Ref: 752TC
http://hygra.com/box/752TC 

Extremely rare Chinese export lacquer Tea Caddy, circa
This is one of the earliest lacquered Tea Caddies. It dates before the period when such items were imported by the East India Company on a commercial basis and it was most probably a personal commission.
Quality, expensive caddies of oval form were made in England in the last quarter of the 18th century in wood, papier mâché and tin. This shape would have been shown to the Chinese maker by the commissioning client who would have wanted it rendered in lacquer. The decoration is also in the English neo-classical tradition, albeit less rigid and less tightly controlled than its European cousins. The flowers strive for naturalism and even the myrtle leaves are trying to break loose from the escutcheon, attesting to the cross cultural personality of the piece.
Side view showing a very neoclassical motif-an oval- decorated with un-neoclassical small flowers.
Back with the oval and flowers, but also with the more Chinese pattern of peaks and wavy lines on the base and top.
Other side.
The interior showing signs of old foil. It is also interesting to see the “lip” around the top which is the same construction as the papier mâché caddies made by English makers such as Clay in the later part of the 18th century. There is some damage to this “lip”.
The lock is missing.
View of the back with the lid open. In a decade or so after this caddy was made, Chinese lacquer caddies became more distinctively oriental both in shape and decoration. This caddy is one of the rare pieces which stands on a pivotal moment in time, commissioned by a pioneer in style and culture and made by craftsmen (a box maker, a lacquerer and a decorator), steeped in their own tradition but also ready to embrace a new aesthetic. If only the caddy could talk!

Origin: China;  Circa: 1780; Materials: lacquered wood.

Size: 14.5 cm wide by 10 cm by 11.5 cm:  5.7 inches wide by  3.9 inches by 4.5  inches.

Condition: good overall; lock missing; see images and notes.

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