A Canton Enamel Armorial Tea Canister for the Dutch Market Circa 1750

painted with the arms of De Wendt.

The cover has a half inch long area of less than 1/8 inch old chips to the lower edge, and on the opposite side a recent looking 1/8 inch area of loss to the enamel. The canister has small shallow enamel chips to three of the upper corners and similar small chips to two of the lower corners. There are some minor typical fine stress cracks to the enamel overall but otherwise the canister is in generally very nice original condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Kroes, 2007, p. 320, cat. no. 237b illustrates an identical tea canister from this service. Eyso de Wendt, for whom this tea service was made, worked for the VOC in Surat, Batavia and Canton from 1734 to 1761. In addition to this canton enamel tea service, he also commissioned a porcelain service with identical arms.