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Tea canister
Made at: Meissen Manufactory (Germany)
German
about 1725–30
Object Place: Meissen, Germany
Medium/Technique
Hard-paste porcelain with colored enamel and gilded decoration
Dimensions
9.9 x 8.2 cm (3 7/8 x 3 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Forsyth Wickes—The Forsyth Wickes Collection
Accession Number65.2048a-b
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
DescriptionThe hexagonal baluster-shaped tea caddy has a simple circular cover that fits over a raised neck. A thick gold band is painted along each of the ribs, on the hexagonal base, at the base of the neck, and around the side of the cover. The top of the cover is decorated with gilt scrolling and a stylized flower within a circular gilt band. The six panels are painted with chinoiserie figures engaged in various activities. The figures stand on brown and green ground amidst flowering foliage painted in purple, blue, gray, iron red, and gold. Similarly colored birds and insects are painted above the figures.
Marks
Tea caddy: crossed swords in underglaze blue (partially obliterated); thrower's mark of impressed three dots for Seidel; 87 in gold. Cover: 87+ in gold.
ProvenanceForsyth Wickes (b.1876-d.1964), New York and Newport, RI; 1965, bequest of Forsyth Wickes to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 24, 1965)