A CHINESE IMARI ARMORIAL TEA CADDY

CIRCA 1720

Details

A CHINESE IMARI ARMORIAL TEA CADDY
circa 1720
Enamelled in the front with the arms of Sampaio/Melo, the shoulders, sides and back boldly painted with iron-red and gilt lilies and chrysanthemum growing on curling tendrils, replacement metal cover
5¾in. (14.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

From a group of closely related Chinese Imari services and individual pieces ordered by Francisco Jose de Sampaio Melo e Castro (died 1723 in Goa), eleventh Lord of Vila Flor and Governor and Viceroy of India 1720-23. See N. de Castro, Chinese Porcelain and the Heraldry of the Empire, p. 62