Description:
TC580: Large Chinese Export lacquer tea chest of elaborate shape decorated all over with gold of two colours depicting scenes of Oriental life, figures in houses and gardens, opening to a single compartment containing two lidded pewter tea canisters with supplementary inner lids, the whole chest standing on feet in the form of dragon heads.  Circa 1840.

Origin: Canton China. Circa: 1840. Materials:

Size: It measures 11.3  inches wide  by 8.5 inches deep and it is 6.5  inches  high including feet: 28.8 cm wide by 21.5 cm deep by 16.4 cm high.

Condition: good overall,  working lock and key,  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. 

The Chinese lacquer is in  good original condition.  The lacquer is decorated with  gold in two colors.

The chest retains its original soft metal interior canisters.

The tops of the  the canisters have embossed decoration.

The canisters also have inner lids to help keep the tea fresh. the turned pulls are bone.

The form of the chest is very organic with its curvaceous lines. This would have made both the lacquering and decoration difficult. However both were done with the virtuosity demanded by such a piece exceptional quality.

The base is done in a formal pattern in a controlled confident hand. The main part depicts scenes of oriental life in sumptuous gardens. The trees which rise above the buildings are painted in fine delicate strokes and give the impression of an etherial landscape.

The side showing more figures in a garden landscape. Gardens in China were the settings of social, artistic and intellectual activities. They were created as works of art in their own right and as such highly valued. Reports of the Cathay gardens inspired many a European garden designer and to this day we have pagodas and pavilions in many of our grand gardens.    

The smaller sides continue the theme with the scale of the buildings and number of figures adapted to the size.

The back with an extended scene of seated figures. The straight lines and angles of the buildings contrasted with the varied feathery foliage of the trees.  

The other side, another scene.

The top is wonderfully orchestrated with the curvaceous  ogee framing leading up to the flat top. The top has a thin line of formal design, which gives way to rich flora which surrounds a cartouche of a gathering. The trees follow the lines which define the cartouche in the most natural way without any hint of confinement.

The design is a tour de force of formality and naturalness in perfect harmony; in short, the very essence of an Oriental garden.     

his could be a scene of sages composing poetry sitting in the gardens as reported by early travellers.

Another view of the top.

Detail of the scene. There are symbolic motifs such as butterflies and scrolls on the surround.

The main scene appears to be set in a garden on a small island. This garden structure was favoured in Royal gardens, where exotic islands were dotted in huge lakes. The supports for the pavilion are visible in the lower part where they disappear in a formal pattern which denotes water. 

Drinking from small "dishes"?

A conversation.

Here is a high ranking lady sitting on a china garden seat.

The underside.

The interior of the lid is decorated with a very finely executed formal bamboo design.

Good hinges and fine decoration on the facings.

Working lock and key.

The beautifully stepped structure showing the virtuosity of juxtaposing repetitive and scenic designs.

The form and structure of of this tea chest is similar to  another illustrated on our website: "Chinese export lacquer tea chest with scenes of tea trading the interior fitted with metal canisters, circa 1840."

The extra size of this chest is clear when both are seen together.

http://www.hygra.com/tc2/chtealac.htm 

It is probable that both originated in the same Canton workshop