A Exquisite Chinese Export lacquer tea chest with expressive paintings in gold and coloured lacquer Circa 1800.

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A Exquisite Chinese Export lacquer tea chest with expressive paintings in gold and coloured lacquer Circa 1800.

Please click on images to enlarge

Reference: TC102

Description:
A Exquisite Chinese Export lacquer tea chest with expressive paintings in gold and coloured lacquer of Oriental life containing lift out pewter canisters.

Origin: China

Circa: 1800

Materials: wood lacquer gold pewter

Size: It measures 7.7 inches wide by inches 5.2 deep and it is 4.9 inches high: 19.5cm wide by 13.2cm deep by 12.5cm high.
Condition: good some rubbing especially to the top. See images. Working lock and key.

The front picture is a very rare depiction of a scene rooted in Chinese culture.

The picture shows part of the celebration for an auspicious day, most probably the Chinese New year.

Two boys are holding up lanterns, possibly floating lanterns, which will be floated up into the sky, after the ceremony.

This elevates the painting above the more generalized genre of decoration.

There is also an element of great fun and movement, which contrasts with the formal, finely wrought borders, which transforms the whole composition into a delightful invocation of oriental festivity.

The theme of fun continues with music and dance.
This scene on the water, a lucky element for the Chinese, has a little joke on it in that the lady is carrying on her boat a tea box which is like the box she is painted on.

The back has a tranquil scene, of as island in a lake, perhaps a retreat after all the activity of the day.

Surely this caddy must have been decorated by a master artist of a playful and original turn of mind.
The canisters are sharp and engraved with floral motifs.

Please click on images to enlarge

The picture shows part of the celebration for an auspicious day, most probably the Chinese New year.

Two boys are holding up lanterns, possibly floating lanterns, which will be floated up into the sky, after the ceremony.

There are lots of photos they can be seen in higher resolution by clicking on them. They can be viewed as a slide show in higher resolution.

The theme of fun continues with music and dance and sport.

Please click on images to enlarge

This scene on the water, a lucky element for the Chinese, has a little joke on it in that the lady is carrying on her boat a tea box which is like the box she is painted on.

"Excuse me Mam"

"I forgot to tell you

"Yes! Young man. please do not disturb my pet who eats fro' my hand"

"He likes eating fingers...."

Please click on images to enlarge

The back has a tranquil scene, of as island in a lake, perhaps a retreat after all the activity of the day.

Please click on images to enlarge

Detail of top

The theme of fun continues with music and dance.

The men with horses are a sort of dance.

This scene on the water, a lucky element for the Chinese, has a little joke on it in that the lady is carrying on her boat a tea box which is like the box she is painted on.

Inside there are two liftout engraved pewter canisters.

Please click on images to enlarge

The canisters are sharp and engraved with floral motifs.

Detail: of the engraved floral motifs.

Please click on images to enlarge

Two boys are holding up lanterns, possibly floating lanterns, Carp and wise crayfish, symbols of fortune and brain food.

Surely this caddy must have been decorated by a master artist of a playful and original turn of mind.
The canisters are sharp and engraved with floral motifs.

"I hope he gets his spear thorough the hole in my shield"

Please click on images to enlarge

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