A charming and decorative early 19th century Regency period japanned tea caddy. English, circa 1810.

Why we like it

A charming object to decorate a coffee table or a console, also useful to store small bits, jewellery, etc. with gusto.

Such luxurious items were popular in England during the height of fashion for oriental exoticism, called chinoiserie in Europe. Although initially the overwhelming interest in chinoiserie in Britain was promoted by such influential designers as William Chambers and Thomas Chippendale in the second half of the 18th century, this fashion had carried on well into the 19th century and spread across Europe. Chinoiserie – a tale of the glorious Orient – colourful and brimming with exotic flowers and mythical creatures; a mysterious land whose inhabitants engage in elegant pursuits.