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Description:
Ref: 882TC    http://hygra.com/box/882TC 

Inlaid sycamore and bird's eye maple single tea caddy decorated on all sides and top with pairs of carp fish. The fish and the water details are enhanced with fine lines of incised penwork.
Inside the caddy is lined with glass. The caddy is closed with a sprung catch and does not have a key.
The decoration is a very remarkable combination of European work and Chinese symbolism. It is of course most appropriate since tea came from China, but the oriental symbols were not widely understood, never mind applied, by Europeans. Phonetically "carp" and "advantage" are the same in Chinese, the first word taking on the weight of meaning of the second. This fish is also said to jump over the rapids of the Yellow River symbolizing success. Its beard was thought to denote supernatural power.

Origin: France;  Circa: 1850; Materials:  sycamore, maple, glass liner.

Size: 11.8 cm wide by 12 cm by 11.8 cm:   4.7 inches wide by 4.75  inches by   4.7 inches.

Condition: good overall; working catch; 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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The decoration is a very remarkable combination of European work and Chinese symbolism. It is of course most appropriate since tea came from China, but the oriental symbols were not widely understood, never mind applied, by Europeans. Phonetically "carp" and "advantage" are the same in Chinese, the first word taking on the weight of meaning of the second. This fish is also said to jump over the rapids of the Yellow River symbolizing success. Its beard was thought to denote supernatural power.

Each side has the same inlay.

There are little differences between each version.

The underside is covered with velvet. 

The inside is lined with glass with blue paper behind.

The caddy is closed with a sprung catch and does not have a key.

The fish and the water details are enhanced with fine lines of incised penwork.

See: Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society, 1700--1880 
Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, ISBN: 0764316885

A caddy veneered in sycamore and darkened bird's eye maple. It is inlaid with pairs of carp fish all around. The fish and the water details are enhanced with fine lines of incised penwork. This is a very remarkable combination of European work and Chinese symbolism. It is of course most appropriate since tea came from China, but the oriental symbols were not widely understood, never mind applied, by Europeans. Phonetically "carp" and "advantage" are the same in Chinese, the first word taking on the weight of meaning of the second. This fish is also said to jump over the rapids of the Yellow River symbolizing success. Its beard was thought to denote supernatural power. 4.75" wide. Possibly French, mid 19th century.

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