Thumbnail index of pictures

www.hygra.com Antique Boxes and tea caddies.

Sewing box

writing-boxes

jewelry-boxes

Advanced Search

Youtube Channel

contents

Antique Sycamore and Bird's Eye Maple tea caddy with inlay depicting Carp circa 1850
Back to main page and full description

| thumbnail index

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.

Request current list of available sewing boxes with prices.
Request current list of available writing boxes with prices.
Request current list of available jewelry boxes with prices.
Request current list of available tea caddies with prices.

boxes@hygra.com

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2013 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