A PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT BLACK AND GOLD LACQUER TEA CHESTS CIRCA 1800, CANTON

Christie’s, New York, anonymous sale, January 30, 1982, lot 150

During the latter half of the 18^th and the whole of the 19^th centuries lacquer-ware, together with porcelain, silks and other trade goods, was exported in large quantities from the port of Canton situated on the Pearl River in south China. Originally much of this trade was conducted with Western Europe, but by the end of the 18^th century, records indicate the increasing trade with American ports on the eastern seaboard such as Boston and Philadelphia. The richly lacquered surface of this pair of tea chests shows the exceptional quality achieved by the Chinese artisan at this period, the overall design of grapes and vine leaves being typical of the period circa 1785-1820. Crossman (op. cit.) illustrates several pieces with this form of decoration including a pair of card tables (pl. 147) and a sewing box (pl. 143). Crossman also illustrates a similar tea chest on a stand (pl. 151), the interior of which is fitted with engraved pewter tea canisters.  

See:

Carl L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of The China Trade, 1991