A RARE AND IMPORTANT CANTON PAINTED ENAMEL ARMORIAL TEA CHEST QING DYNASTY, CIRCA 1745

of rectangular form, finely decorated in the famille-rose palette, the hinged cover with a shaped cartouche enclosing the Royal Arms of Sweden flanked by supporters and surmounted by a crown, framed by fruit-shaped panels enclosing landscapes, all reserved on a delicately entwining floral scroll ground, the sides variously decorated with shaped cartouches enclosing birds and flowers, reserved on meandering leafy scrolls bearing composite floral blooms and fruits, all divided by floral bands and set with two gilt-bronze loop handles, the interior divided into twenty-one lined compartments each accomodating a square pewter tea canister and cover

Sotheby's London, 7th March 1978, lot 23.

A Tale of Three Cities, Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong, Sotheby's London, 1997, cat. no. 199.

The tea chest is in reasonable condition, but does have some areas of restoration: Cover panel: The whole central area of the panel is somewhat concaved and there is restoration to various areas including the central armorial cartouche, the finger citron cartouche (5cm), the left hand border (approx 4.5cm) , the floral section below the central cartouche (8cm) and an area below the pomegranate cartouche to the lower right (5.5cm). There is also cracking to the enamel in various areas. Interior cover panel: there are areas of restoration and cracking to the enamel to most of the panel. Front panel: There is a chip to the enamel to the lower left central edge (3cm long by 8mm (at widest point)). There is also a 1.5cm by 1cm graze to the enamel to the hind quarters of the front pheasant and another similar area below its tail in the rockwork. There are also some general scratches to the enamel. Right side panel: There is a 15cm area of re-touching to the top border panel and the area around the handle and there is a dent to the top right hand corner and some re-touching to the enamel in this area. Left side panel: There is some restoration of the enamel around the handle and there is cracking and re-touching to the enamel to the corners. Back panel: there is a dent to the top left corner and some associated cracking to the enamel. There is also horizontal and vertical cracking to various areas. Base panel: There is a dent to the enamel the back right corner and an associated crack running approx 20cm. There are other minor areas of cracking to the enamel.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present chest is notable for its remarkably fine enamelling which indicates it is likely to have been commissioned specifically for Swedish royalty. The Royal Arms are those of Frederick, King of Sweden (r. 1720-1751). It retains all the twenty one original tea canisters, which are plain except for the floral decoration on the covers, and each fitting into a pewter-lined partition. The brass carrying handles are possibly European; however the lock plate is likely to be Chinese as evidenced in the careful outline on the surrounding enamel decoration.