Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy with Cover
A large Chinese export porcelain tea caddy painted with a shield and bird motif encircled with a gold wreath. The bird holds a branch - perhaps of olive - in its mouth. The shield is enameled with gold flowers and leaves. The top of the caddy is painted with a continuous serpentine garland below whose apexes are flower and leaves. The shoulder of the caddy is painted with green trim at the edges. Both large sides are decorated similarly.
I would date the caddy to c. 1790-1800 or so.
The condition is very good but there is 1 and possibly 2 very tight hairline fissures on the neck. One could simply be glaze craquelure. In any event, the caddy retains its cover which is quite the exception for objects this old.
Approximately 6 1/2" h.
I would date the caddy to c. 1790-1800 or so.
The condition is very good but there is 1 and possibly 2 very tight hairline fissures on the neck. One could simply be glaze craquelure. In any event, the caddy retains its cover which is quite the exception for objects this old.
Approximately 6 1/2" h.