A RARE SHEFFIELD PLATE-MOUNTED BLUE AND WHITE TEA CADDY BOX

CIRCA 1775

Details

A RARE SHEFFIELD PLATE-MOUNTED BLUE AND WHITE TEA CADDY BOX
Circa 1775
Of rectangular form and well-painted in inky tones of cobalt with Chinese riverscapes showing small figures and boats, contained within diaper and keyfret borders, the interior with three porcelain sections to hold the Sheffield caddies for green tea, black tea and sugar, each having a hinged cover with folded edge and ball knop, the swing handles, porcelain box hinges and lockplate also Sheffield
9 7/8in. (25.1cm.) wide

Sale room notice

Please note there is a small area of very expert restoration to porcelain cover

Lot Essay

A very rare form in porcelain. See M. Jourdain and R. Soame Jenyns, Chinese Export Art, pp. 133-4 for three examples in carved ivory and mother-of-pearl with reverse glass from the collection of Basil and the Hon. Mrs. Ionides. The present example with an 18th century engraved bookplate adhering to the lid interior with the arms of Cumming impaling (Penrose?) and inscribed Cuming. D.S.Howard, op. cit., p. 455 illustrates a saucer, circa 1775, with the arms of Cumming, referring to an earlier Cumming/Penrose bookplate, the service probably made for Sir Alexander Penrose Cumming, M.P. for Inverness, who may have also ordered this tea caddy box when he was married to Helen, daughter of Sir Ludovic Grant, Bt., in September 1773

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