CHINESE EXPORT SILVER TEA CADDY

A Chinese Export silver tea caddy

The caddy is in a globular form standing on three ball feet.

The pull off closely fitting cylindrical lid makes a satisfying popping sound as its pulled off.  Tea caddy lids must fit tightly to keep all the tea flavours intact

The round body is decorated with embossed chrysanthemums and the lid has more  chrysanthemums.

Chrysanthemums  symbolise longevity, fidelity, joy and optimism.

Interestingly the tea caddy has the retailer’s mark HC only.  Maybe this was made by Hung Chong himself.?  If another artisan made it his chop would usually appear as part of the mark

Certainly this caddy is of the finest quality