Chinese Polychrome Tea Caddy Hua Cha Gong Si Mark Republic Period

A porcelain Chinese tea caddy that is decorated with an immortal on one side and a scholar traveling on a river with attendant on the other side.

The molded porcelain tea caddy has a ribbed melon shape. The polychrome decoration is an early transfer with added hand-painting. The tea caddy has a cylindrical neck and round mouth. The lid is made from wood.

The tea caddy has a recessed base and unglazed foot. It has a stamped factory mark on the base in iron red in Chinese characters that read Hua Cha Gong Si porcelain factory. It also has a stamped CHINA mark.

MEASUREMENTS
5” (12.7 cm) x 3 ¾” (9.5 cm) x 6” (15.20 cm) tall. Weighs 14.2 oz (405 g)

CONDITION
There is a Y-shaped hairline at the mouth. There are no other cracks, chips, or breaks. The glazes are still bright and colorful. There are kiln flaws such as black spots, bumps, reserve spots and transfer misses. The wood top is modern and not original to the tea caddy. It is a little short for the neck but covers the mouth well.

A useful, decorative tea caddy to add to a collection or in which to store your tea.