Serving tray (2) - thin, hand-blown flat glass, camphorwood - carved wooden tray

Antique Chinese pewter "Shantou" (Chao Yi) teapot with hand-painted glass panels & accompanying hand-cut camphorwood serving tray – China – ca. 1900 (Late Qing Dynasty)

Description

A highly decorative and collectible antique Chinese tea set in Chinese export-antique (Late Qing Dynasty) style. This ensemble consists of a pewter teapot with reverse glass paintings and a matching, richly hand-carved wooden tray. Both objects were produced around 1900 in Guangdong province and form a harmonious historic unit.

• The Teapot: Made of heavy-quality pewter from the well-known tin region Shantou (Swatow). Executed in a characteristic six- to eight-sided form with six cutout windows. The windows are fitted with ultra-fine, antique hand-blown flat glass featuring the original hand-painted miniatures on the interior (reverse glass paintings). The detailed paintings depict classical scenes: mythological figures/warriors, scholars with fans, playing children, and a traditional erotic domestic interior scene (historically intended as an amulet against fire). The pewter itself is ornamented all around with fine meander borders and ruyi motifs. The base bears an authentic, deeply struck studio mark with the Chinese characters "潮邑" (Chao Yi) and the studio mark "店" (Dian); in Dutch collecting circles this mark is historically referred to as maker "Beens".

• The Tray: A rectangular tray made of authentic camphorwood (Zhangmu), equipped with two elegantly formed handles. The raised edges and the interior are masterfully hand-carved in the famous Chaozhou woodcarving style [Chaozhou woodcarving]. The woodcarving shows refined floral tendrils, detailed floral motifs, and deep geometric relief lines converging in fan-shaped elements at the corners. A perfectly fitting and stylish presentation base for the teapot.

Specifications

• Material: Pewter, antique glass, hand-carved camphorwood
• Style & Period: Chinese export-antique / Late Qing Dynasty (ca. 1890 - 1910)
• Origin: China (Guangdong, Shantou/Chaozhou region) [Chaozhou woodcarving]
• Item: Complete tea set / presentation ensemble
• Teapot dimensions (including handle): [Fill in height] cm
• Tray dimensions (L x W): [Fill in dimensions] cm

Condition

Both objects are in a beautiful, authentic antique state with a lovely patina of age.

• Teapot: Normal use and aging marks. A very light, historical superficial dent on one of the raised pewter edge corners (inherent to the soft material). The glass panels are fully intact and sit firmly in their bezels; the paint shows light, characteristic aging wear, and the thin glass shows typical minor irregularities and tiny air bubbles for their age. The lid is original, included loose, and closes well.

• Tray: The wood shows normal aging and light superficial scratches consistent with age. The corner joints (tongue-and-groove with wooden pins) have shifted somewhat due to natural movement and the drying of the camphorwood over the last century, resulting in a few gaps in the corner construction (see detail photos); the construction is thus mainly suitable as a static display base. On the underside there is a noticeable dark spiral ring/branding mark; this is not visible on the finely carved top side and does not affect display value. Free from modern restorations.

Shipping:
This lot is packed with the utmost care and professionalism to prevent damage during transport. The shipment is sent via insured post and provided with a Track & Trace code so you can safely track the shipment. Worldwide shippin