Japanese Lotus Tea Caddy, c. 1870
Japanese Lotus Tea Caddy, c. 1870
7569
A beautifully unusual 19th-century Japanese tea caddy dating to circa 1870. Constructed in lead and pewter, with finely applied copper decoration, the piece combines a soft, sculptural silhouette with the restrained richness and subtle material contrasts characteristic of Japanese decorative arts of the period.
The body is designed to evoke the layered form of a closed lotus blossom, a motif deeply associated in Japan with purity, renewal, and refinement. Copper details animate the subdued silvery-grey surface of the metal, lending warmth and definition to the elegant organic form. The interplay between the cool pewter, darker lead, and warm copper creates a quietly sophisticated finish that becomes more appealing with age and patina.
Tea caddies were important objects in the preparation and presentation of tea, made to protect and store the leaves while contributing to the considered visual experience of serving. This example's naturalistic lotus form transforms a practical vessel into a small work of art, demonstrating the Japanese ability to find beauty in both function and material.
A distinctive object for collectors of Japanese metalwork, tea wares, and 19th-century decorative arts. It would display particularly well in a cabinet, on a desk, or alongside ceramics and lacquer, where its gentle patina and sculptural presence can be appreciated.
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