Object Description
An extremely rare pair of Chinese export black lacquer tea chests, exquisitely decorated with gold throughout.
Qing dynasty, early 19th century.
Why we like them
Increasingly rare in this larger size, these boxes are amazingly well preserved and complete with their original finely chased paktong caddies.
Such luxurious items were popular in England during the height of fashion for oriental exoticism, called chinoiserie in Europe.