A Chinese Export mother-of-pearl inlaid black lacquer tea chest, circa 1840

Lot Closed

January 14, 02:53 PM GMT

Estimate

600 - 900 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property of a descendant of William Beckford & The Dukes of Hamilton

A Chinese Export mother-of-pearl inlaid black lacquer tea chest, circa 1840

of octagonal form with a hinged lid and large engraved tin lidded tea caddy, lined with red paper, some losses

29cm. high; 37.5cm. wide, 26.5cm. deep; 11½in., 1ft. 2¾in., 10½in.

Possibly Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton (1767–1852) or Susan, Duchess of Hamilton (1786–1859);
Thence by descent.

For comparison see an almost identical example in the Peabody Museum, Salem. This can be dated exactly to 1836 through a letter which details its presentation in that year (see Carl Crossman, The China Trade, Woodbridge, 1988, pl.157, p.279).