Tea caddy/ box - Bone china
07
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12
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29
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Armorial Chinese export porcelain octagonal teacaddy from the Kangxi era (c. 1719) commissioned by Sir John Fellowes, 1st Baronet of Carshalton, bearing the Fellowes coat of arms with the Red Hand of Ulster, produced in Jingdezhen (body) and Canton (enamels) with blue underglaze and Imari decorations; dimensions 11.5 × 9 × 5.2 cm, weight 290 g with lid, and a neck chip with a non‑original lid.
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Description from the seller
On auction is an extraordinary piece of history: a very rare Chinese export porcelain tea bottle/cotainer (Chinese Export Porcelain) from the Qing Dynasty, commissioned directly in China in 1719 to celebrate Sir John Fellowes's title of Baronet.
The item bears on the front the majestic heraldic crest of the Fellowes family. The crucial element, which makes this piece unique for collectors, is the presence of the Red Hand of Ulster impaled in the center of the shield. This device was granted and incorporated into the coats of arms only to those awarded the hereditary title of Baronet, thus, since Sir John Fellowes was named 1st Baronet of Carshalton on January 20, 1719, the commissioning of this tea service can be placed with absolute certainty in that very year. (see photo of the memorial)
The bottle, octagonal in shape as was typical for tea containers of the period, was produced, with the porcelain body and blue underglaze probably in Jingdezhen, while the dainty Imari palette decorations were done in Canton by master decorators based on the client’s sketch.
As clearly shown in the photos, the object has over 300 years of history and retains its exceptional charm, the bottle body displaying vivid colors and a splendid gloss. It is worth noting a chip/loss on the edge of the ceramic neck, invisible when the bottle has its lid on.
The accompanying lid features a floral decoration and a pronounced superficial craquelure. However, after careful examination, I believe it is not original or contemporaneous with the bottle, but a later addition (likely 19th century or later). It is present for completeness but does not contribute to the piece’s authentic value.
Rarity:
The pieces of this heraldic service commissioned by Sir John Fellowes are extremely rare. A key market reference is the Christie’s auction of the famous Benjamin F. Edwards III collection (Lot 252), where a pair of Sir Fellowes Imari heraldic porcelain (circa 1720) was sold for $5,019. (See screenshot)
IN SUMMARY
Type: Armorial tea bottle/container or "Tea Caddy"
Origin: China – Jingdezhen (porcelain and blue underglaze) / Canton (armorial enamels and export gold)
Year/Epoch: circa 1719. Kangxi Period - Qing Dynasty
Client: Sir John Fellowes, 1st Baronet of Carshalton
Technique: Porcelain painted in blue underglaze, Imari enamels (iron red) and gold
Condition: Body in excellent condition with a chip on the ceramic neck; lid is not original
Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 5.2 cm (including stopper)
Weight: 290 g with stopper - 269 g without stopper
A museum-quality piece of utmost historical, heraldic and collecting importance. Don’t miss this rare item for your collections!
Happy bidding to all!
On auction is an extraordinary piece of history: a very rare Chinese export porcelain tea bottle/cotainer (Chinese Export Porcelain) from the Qing Dynasty, commissioned directly in China in 1719 to celebrate Sir John Fellowes's title of Baronet.
The item bears on the front the majestic heraldic crest of the Fellowes family. The crucial element, which makes this piece unique for collectors, is the presence of the Red Hand of Ulster impaled in the center of the shield. This device was granted and incorporated into the coats of arms only to those awarded the hereditary title of Baronet, thus, since Sir John Fellowes was named 1st Baronet of Carshalton on January 20, 1719, the commissioning of this tea service can be placed with absolute certainty in that very year. (see photo of the memorial)
The bottle, octagonal in shape as was typical for tea containers of the period, was produced, with the porcelain body and blue underglaze probably in Jingdezhen, while the dainty Imari palette decorations were done in Canton by master decorators based on the client’s sketch.
As clearly shown in the photos, the object has over 300 years of history and retains its exceptional charm, the bottle body displaying vivid colors and a splendid gloss. It is worth noting a chip/loss on the edge of the ceramic neck, invisible when the bottle has its lid on.
The accompanying lid features a floral decoration and a pronounced superficial craquelure. However, after careful examination, I believe it is not original or contemporaneous with the bottle, but a later addition (likely 19th century or later). It is present for completeness but does not contribute to the piece’s authentic value.
Rarity:
The pieces of this heraldic service commissioned by Sir John Fellowes are extremely rare. A key market reference is the Christie’s auction of the famous Benjamin F. Edwards III collection (Lot 252), where a pair of Sir Fellowes Imari heraldic porcelain (circa 1720) was sold for $5,019. (See screenshot)
IN SUMMARY
Type: Armorial tea bottle/container or "Tea Caddy"
Origin: China – Jingdezhen (porcelain and blue underglaze) / Canton (armorial enamels and export gold)
Year/Epoch: circa 1719. Kangxi Period - Qing Dynasty
Client: Sir John Fellowes, 1st Baronet of Carshalton
Technique: Porcelain painted in blue underglaze, Imari enamels (iron red) and gold
Condition: Body in excellent condition with a chip on the ceramic neck; lid is not original
Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 5.2 cm (including stopper)
Weight: 290 g with stopper - 269 g without stopper
A museum-quality piece of utmost historical, heraldic and collecting importance. Don’t miss this rare item for your collections!
Happy bidding to all!
Details
Era
1400-1900
Weight
290 g
Porcelain type
Bone china
Country of origin
China
Material
Porcelain
Dynastic style/period
Kangxi (1662-1722)
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
11.5 cm
Width
9 cm
Depth
5.2 cm
Estimated period
1700-1750
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