A Chinese export lacquer tea chest in the abstracted elegant form of a lantern. See: hygra.com The main scenes are framed by elaborate floral designs, which are very well spaced, allowing for the different central compositions to be distinguished. The scenes are of figures in gardens. Circa 1835. The early 19th century was the golden period for the Chinese lacquer box. The merchants associated with the East India Company were making vast amounts of money selling opium to the Chinese, albeit at times by circuitous ways. More money was available for buying Chinese treasures to satisfy the demand for the increasingly prosperous people at home. In addition to individually commissioned boxes, a number of additional boxes were bought with a view to selling them in England . They were also sold to other European countries from the London bonded warehouses of the Company. The Cathay style had already captured the imagination of the European beau monde. A whimsical oriental style had already been set in motion by such arbiters of fashion as the Prince Regent himself. This led to significant stylistic and thematic developments in the decoration of lacquer boxes during the first decades of the 19th century.

www.newel.com – Newel.com English Antique Tea/coffee Set Chinese Chippendale Accessories for Sale (Newel Art and Antiques, New York City)

Muzha Tie Guan Yin is a type of oolong tea that is nicknamed the “Iron Goddess.” Discover more about Muzha Tie Guan Yin oolong tea with tips from the owner of a tea company in this free video about oolong tea types. Expert: Josh Chamberlain Bio: Josh Chamberlain started his own tea company, J-Teas, in 2004. He buys his tea from small family farms throughout the world. Filmmaker: max koetter