Tea Caddy; Canton, c. 1900. Enameled metal.... Lot 42

Tea Caddy; Canton, c. 1900. Enameled metal. It presents faults and restorations in the enamel. Measurements: 5.5 x 11 x 8.5 cm. A tea box is a box, jar, jar or other container used to store tea. When it arrived in Europe from Asia, tea was very expensive and was kept under lock and key. The containers used were often expensive and decorative, to fit in with the rest of a drawing room or other reception room. Hot water was brought up from the kitchen and the tea was prepared by the mistress of the house or under her supervision.The word is thought to derive from catty, the Chinese pound, which is roughly equivalent to a pound and a third avoirdupois. The first specimens to reach Europe were made of Chinese porcelain and were similar in shape to the ginger jar. It presents faults and restorations in the enamel.