A hand made basket made from strips of bamboo that comes equipped with a colorful, hand painted, polychrome teapot and two matching cups from the first half of the 20th century.
The bamboo strip basket has a plaid cotton liner that holds a teapot and pair of matching tea cups. The basket is fitted with metal handles with rests, ornamental coin hinges, riveted faceplate, and lock in the shape of a fish.
The teapot and cups are hand painted with floral and bird designs. The painting is experienced and colorful. There is even shading in the flower petals. The iron red background has a gilded cracked ice pattern with cloud pattern at the mouth. The lid has two finger holes. The underside of the lid and flange of the body are unglazed and have Chinese numbers for matching up. The teapot has a pair of metal handles that are wrapped in cord.
The cups have MADE IN CHINA stamped in red enamel on their bases. These stamps are difficult to make out. The metal lock faceplate to the basket has MADE IN CHINA stamped in red. The teapot base has a stamped MADE IN CHINA in red, a stamped circle with characters and the word CHINA etched in black.
MEASUREMENTS
Teacup – 2 ¾” (7.0 cm) diameter x 2 ¼” (5.7 cm) tall.
Teapot – 8” (20.3 cm) long x 5 ¼” (13.3 cm) diameter x 7” (176.8 cm) tall.
Overall – 11 ½” wide (29.2 cm) x 8 ¼” (21.0 cm) deep x 9” (22.9 cm) tall.
Total weight 4 lbs 15 oz (2250 g)
CONDITION
There are no breaks, cracks, chips, or repairs. The gilding is even in good shape. I don’t think the teapot and cups were ever used. There are a couple of kiln flaws, such as pimples and glaze misses. Even the lining to the basket is in nearly pristine condition.
A colorful teapot set to decorate with and use for those special tea parties.
