A fine Chinese Export silver-mounted carved ivory tea caddy mid 18th century

opening to three silver-mounted glass caddies.

Good restored condition; the top with a later inpainted long strip to the back edge; the carved ivory panel with two thin long arched age cracks; right corners of top with inpainting; front, back and side panels in excellent condition with minor areas of dust; the interior silver-mounted cut-glass caddies in good condition with wear and scratches to the bases.
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.

The present tea caddy is an extraordinary example of the best Chinese ivory carving of the second half of the 18th century.  A number of other examples survive including a magnificent slant-front dressing desk on stand which was carved in Canton in the mid 18th century and now in the collection Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts; another carved ivory box with similar carving made circa 1800 is in the collection of Richard Milhender (both illustrated, C. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade, Woodbridge, 1991, p. 308 color plates 106 and 108).  A very similar tea caddy was in the exhibition and catalogue complied by David S. Hoard, A Tale of Three Cities, Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong, Three Centuries of Sino-British Trade in the Decorative Arts, Sotheby's, London, January 1997, no. 252, p. 192.  A very similar silver mounted tea caddy with original carved ivory small caddies to the interior sold at Christie’s, London, Out of the Ordinary the Discerning and Individual Taste of Christopher Gibbs and Harris Lindsay, May 10, 2006, lot 164 ($43,636).