Tea Caddies
MakerMade by
Unknown
Datemid 19th century
MediumDrape-molded Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width): 5 3/8 x 3 1/2in. (13.7 x 8.9cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1402.1a,b-.2a,b
DescriptionTwo square Chinese export porcelain tea caddies (.a) with round lids (.b), with hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue decoration showing a Chinese landscape; the caddies are a type of Chinese export porcelain known as Cantonware. The Chinese landscape shows a willow tree and Chinese structure to the right. A river with a Chinese junk runs through the landscape, with a bridge in the foreground and houses, hills, and mountains in the distance. The top of the caddies, which are graduated from the square caddy to the round lid, are decorated with four clusters of flowers and a blue border with darker lines creating a diamond pattern inside. The round lids on both tea caddies are decorated on the sides with two borders. The first is a blue border with darker lines of blue in the shape of stars, and then the "Canton" border, consisting of a scalloped line with parallel lines of hatching running inside. The top of the lids show a Chinese junk, smaller boats, and mountains in the distance.
Status
Not on view
