Chinoiserie Tôle Large Tea Canisters With Chinese Figures and a Chocolate Brown Ground

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Exotica and Elegance: Chinoiserie Tôle Tea Canisters with Calligraphy

This impressive pair of large English Chinoiserie Tôle tea canisters and … Read more Exotica and Elegance: Chinoiserie Tôle Tea Canisters with Calligraphy

This impressive pair of large English Chinoiserie Tôle tea canisters and covers, dating from circa 1840–1880, showcases the enduring Western fascination with Asian decorative arts during the Victorian era. The octagonal form, striking chocolate-brown ground, and intricate hand-painted details distinguish these canisters as sophisticated examples of tôleware.

Design and Decoration
The canisters are generously scaled and meticulously decorated on an unusual chocolate-brown ground, a rich color that provides a deep contrast to the painted motifs and vibrant gilding. The covers feature complementary gilding and shape. The sides of the octagonal form are adorned with three distinct decorative panels:

Central Panel: Each canister features a front panel painted with different standing Chinese figures, rendered in detailed polychrome colors, bringing a narrative focus to the design. One canister is subtly numbered 4 and the other 5 just below the figures, indicating they were part of a larger, numbered set, likely for different types of tea.

Flanking Panels: The panels immediately flanking the figures are decorated with delicate Chinese calligraphy, suggesting poetry or proverbs and adding an authentic visual element to the Chinoiserie style.

Remaining Panels: The rest of the panels are finished in the lovely and distinctive chocolate-brown ground, highlighted by intricate gilt bands.

Historical Context: Victorian Chinoiserie Tôle
Tôleware (or tôle peinte—painted tin) refers to decorative objects, often functional, made from sheet metal and painted, typically produced in England and Europe throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. By the mid-19th century, large tea canisters like these were often used decoratively in wealthy homes, either on display or as utilitarian items in a pantry or kitchen.

The Chinoiserie style was a continuous presence in European design, but these later examples, with their slightly stylized figures and use of actual calligraphy, reflect the Victorian penchant for elaborate, detailed, and exotic decoration. The high quality of the painting and gilding suggests a premium commission.

Dimensions: 19 inches high ×11 inches diameter (48.26cm high ×27.94cm diameter).

(Ref: NY10716-nlrr) See less