Antique Chinese tea caddy with scrimshaw mother of pearl insert.

Width: 3 ½ inches.

Height: 3 ¼ inches.

Weight: 238 grams.

Antique 800 silver tea caddy with mother of pearl insert. This unusual tea caddy has eight panels of embossed symbols. Four panels of which are stylized with a Dragon, Phoenix, Turtle and Golden Pheasant. And the remainder of panels depict the four seasons.

A lot of symbolism is depicted in this piece-.

Eight is said to be the luckiest number in China, it’s associated with wealth.

1)Turtle- Prosperity and long life.

2)Phoenix- Joy and peace.

3)Golden pheasant- Beauty, good fortune and refinement.

4)Dragon- Great power, good luck and strength.

5)Plum blossom- Winter.

6)Orchid-Spring.

7)Bamboo- summer

8)Chrysanthemum- Autumn.

The embossed hinged lid has a insert circle of mother of pearl, beautifully decorated with scrimshaw butterflies amongst flowering shrubs.