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ANTIQUE BOXES
at the Sign of the Hygra
2 Middleton Road
London E8 4BL
Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7254 7074
email: boxes@hygra.com
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Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
Tea Caddies and Tea
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Chinese Export lacquer Tea Caddy of auspicious
and rare form.
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Chinese export lacquer tea caddy in auspicious form.
The pattern is derived from the diaper pattern for coins. It
is also reminiscent of the endless or mystic knot.
The central pattern is a stylistic representation of a gold coin.
The lacquer has a red brown color.
Please click on images to enlarge. This will open
in a new window and can be printed.
19th Century.
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The pattern is derived from the diaper pattern for coins. It
is also reminiscent of the endless or mystic knot.
The central pattern is a stylistic representation of a gold coin.
The decoration is of very finely drawn birds and is in very good
condition.
Please click on images to enlarge. Use the
back-button to return to this page.
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There are dragons chasing a flaming pearl on the four rounded
sides.
The dragons have four claws denoting a status of
a prince or noble. See below.
The bamboo pattern is a symbol of longevity.
The key which is made of tutenag is original
The feet are carved dragon heads.
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The claws are painted to look as if they are attached
to five the Emperor's dragon's number of toes! |
Birds are symbolic in Chinese mythology of many attributes:
The peacock drives away evil and is a symbol of dignity and beauty.
The oriole is the bird of joy and music and symbolizes friendship.
The butterflies are symbolic of love, like Cupid in European
mythology. They are also emblematic of joy and summer.
There are also other representations such as the scrolls.
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The inside facings have coins interwoven with bamboo. The word
for "bamboo" and the word "to wish" or "pray"
are homonyms, therefore this representation denotes a wish for
prosperity.
The caddy has its original soft metal interior
canister..
The inside lacquer is black and contrasts with
the earthy red brown of the outside.
Please click on images to enlarge.
None of the coins here are the Taiping coin described
below but some of the coins show signs of over painting as if they may
have been changed. The Chinese characters are still real.
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The label on the inside of the lid is a Chinese
dealers label which describes the box as "antique". This
would seem to indicate that the caddy was not exported when it was
first made. The Chinese characters for gold and bamboo are also
present.
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