Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
0052 (1-2) |
Object Name |
Teabox |
Date |
1800-1820 |
Description |
Two Chinese lacquered wood tea boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with brass fittings. G-F-2: "Elongated octagon. Top of the hinged lid inlaid with a central cartouche inscribed 'po lu hsi shan' (white dew - west mountain [a tea from Hunan province]). Surrounded by four sprays of Hand of Buddha citrons, chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, and peonies. Seven sides are decorated with scattered flowers of the same four varieties. Front decorated with an elephant wearing a tasseled blanket and supporting a flower-filled vase in a landscape of rocks, plants, bamboo, and water. Above is a brass butterfly escutcheon; brass handles on sides. Diapered bands along edges. Central flower spray on interior of lid. Interior lined with red patterned paper and fitted with a lead liner to protect the tea." lid and seven sides are decorated with inlaid mother-of-pearl flower sprays (peonies, Hand of Buddha citrons, and peach blossoms). Front decorated with two men carrying fishing poles and fish on either side of a basket. Overhanging tree; water in background. Above is a bat-shaped brass escutcheon under a circular 'shou' (longevity) character on lid; same character is on the brass side handles. Diapered bands along edges. Inscribed on interior lid around a floral spray; 'kao mou hsi ch'un' (high quality hyson). Interior lined with patterned red paper. Tea caddy that fit into box is missing." (Jean Gordon Lee, Philadelphia and the China Trade, 1784-1844 p108) |
Year Range from |
1800 |
Year Range to |
1820 |
Made |
Philadelphia PA |
Material |
Mother-of-pearl/Lacquer |
Collection |
Stephen Girard Artifact Collection |
Height (in) |
14.500 |
Width (in) |
17.750 |
Depth (in) |
13.100 |
Related Publications |
Schwarz, Robert D. The Stephen Girard Collection A Selective Catalog, # 62 Goldstein, Jonathan, Philadelphia and the China Trade, 1682-1846. 1977. pp37, 69, 98-99 Lee, Jean Gordon. Philadelphia and the China Trade, 1784-1844 Philadelphia Musem of Art, 1984 p108 Wick, Stephen Girard: A Patron of the Philadelphia Furniture trade, University of Delaware, 1977 p 105 |
Source |
Girard, Stephen |
Received as |
Bequest |
Other number |
GF. 1-2 |
Used |
Stephen Girard's Water Street house |