Cylindrical tea caddy with double lids, made of pewter. The exterior body of the tea caddy is decorated with engraved birds perched on flowering branches on a ground of punched circles, within four lobed rectangular panels. Between the panels are two half-flowered motifs on a ground of punched circles, bordered by two bands of engraved classic scrolling design. The outer lid is decorated with an engraved bird on flowering branches on the top surface and floral scroll on the side, all on a ground of punched circles and bordered by classic scrolling. The inner lid has a thick rim and a sunken surface soldered with a central knob in the form of a Buddhist lion. A hallmark, 'jing zu' and a maker's mark are engraved on the base: 'Chaoyang, ji li dian zhu Shantou', which means 'Ji Li' shop [originally] located at Chaoyang, [now a district of] Shantou city.'
probably made for sale to foreigners
