Antiques

Exceptional Pair of Antique 19th Century Tea Tin Canisters highly decorated with Mother of Pearl Scenes.

Signed Pair of Tea Tins or Canisters from the late Victorian era, decorated with Mother-of-Pearl inlaid Oval Cartouches- the central cartouches depicting rural landscapes with churches, and flanked by narrower ones with intricate floral bouquets. Created by artisan lacquer artists ( called 'Japanners') from the workshops of 'Sutcliffe & Co', of Manchester (see engraved makers mark which appears on bases of both tins) as part of an originally larger set of tea caddies from a late 19th century Tea Shop or Family Grocer's- in Victorian England. Also on the dome of the tins below the necks are the original gilded numerals though now too worn to distinguish clearly.
Measuring 17 inches high x 10 diameter, circa 1865-1895. In nice condition with a small amount of natural wear from usage on the dome tops though the bodies of the canisters with the mother-of-pearl inlays, are very good original condition.

The history of tea is long and complex, spreading across multiple cultures over the span of thousands of years. Tea likely originated in southwest China during the Shang dynasty as a medicinal drink. An early credible record of tea drinking dates to the 3rd century AD, in a medical text written by Hua Tuo. Tea was first introduced to Portuguese priests and merchants in China during the 16th century. Drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century. The British introduced tea production, as well as tea consumption, to India, in order to compete with the China monopoly on tea.