Stunning C. 1800 Very Fine Chinese Export (Canton) Lacquered Tea Caddy animal design is exactly the sort of

is exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for

) I was thrilled to find this piece at an antique shop in Waltham

and a very charming little creature I think

and believe one can never have too many

but this is the first I've seen with arrows integrated into the design--four of them altogether

Stunning C. 1800 Very Fine Chinese Export (Canton) Lacquered Tea Caddy animal design is exactly the sort ofIts not too often that I buy a piece of Asian lacquerware, but this early 19th c. hand painted Chinese export tea caddy struck me as so fine and so lovely that I could not resist. And, since finding it, I found a very very similar one listed sold on 1st Dibs for $6000, albeit containing its original pewter canisters inside. The exterior is decorated overall in black lacquer with fantastic finely hand painted gilt floriate pattern all over plus tiny