The top of this penwork tea
chest most interesting in that it depicts oriental men
and European women in an exotic landscape.
Two of the men appear to be serving
the ladies, one carrying flowers for them and the younger one bringing them a
bird.
The third man, who is wearing a wonderful hat is resting and observing.
One of the women is gathering flowers. The scene hints at a very relaxed
relationship between Europeans and Orientals.
This is most unusual. On the whole
chinoiserie scenes depicted only Eastern figures. European figures were either
painted in naturalistic English country settings, or very rarely in classical
poses.
