LAST QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

Details

A GEORGE III PAPER-SCROLL TEA-CADDY
LAST QUARTER 18TH CENTURY
The rectangular hinged lid with axe-head handle, each side with varying designs of paper scroll, three sides centred by an oval, the front with a mirror, the top with a foliate cartouche, the reverse with an urn, enclosing a plain interior
4¾ in. (12 cm.) high; 5¾ in. (14.5 cm.) wide; 4 in. (10 cm.) deep

Provenance

Anonymous sale; Phillips, London, 27 November 1984.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. From time to time, Christie's may offer a lot which it owns in whole or in part. This is such a lot.

Lot Essay

Paper rolling was a popular pastime for ladies during the late 18th century. In 1786-7, The New Ladies Magazine described the art as 'able to afford an amusement to the female mind'. The coloured and gilt rolled paper was arranged so that the exposed edges formed a pattern across the surface of the tea-caddy. The result was supposed to resemble gold and silver filigree metalwork, hence also known as filigree paperwork (see G. Walkling, Tea Caddies, An Illustrated History, London, 1985).

More from A Tribute to John Fowler : Furniture and Decorations

View All