A Chinese export lacquer tea caddy in reddish earth colored lacquer having rounded corners decorated with two colors of gold depicting groups of birds highlighted in red lacquer. Circa 1840. 

The top has raised lacquer giving a three dimensional quality.

 

It measures 7  inches wide  by 6.6 inches deep and it is  3.7 inches  high: 18 cm wide by 12.5 cm deep by 9.5 cm high.

Birds have symbolic and mythical meanings for the Chinese. They are not a usual subject in export lacquerware. There are many stories of of people who speak bird language escaping danger helped by the birds.

Here the birds are beautifully painted in two colors of gold. Detail is picked out in black lacquer. The feet and tongues are red lacquer.

 For comparison see  Figure 233 Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885  Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors

 

The top has raised lacquer giving a three dimensional quality.

The scenes on each side of the caddy are different. The butterfly in the top left hand corner adds to the interest.

 

The inside of the top has a double sheaf of stylized grasses. 

The lift-out pewter liner is missing.