Pair of inscribed tea caddies

Pair of inscribed tea caddies

Shen Cunzhou

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This pair of perfectly matched tea caddies appears to be a rare example of the handiwork of the renowned early Qing pewter artist Shen Cunzhou. When placed side-by-side, the twin caddies form a single unit with no visible adornment other than the gently protruding flanges at the center of each side. Only when separated does one see that the flat “inside” surfaces have each been incised with texts. The base of each caddy also bears a poem. The texts, by noted literary figures of the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, all celebrate the joys of living in harmony with nature. By cleverly concealing these texts, the caddies exemplify the literati ideal of inner cultivation. The understated design and extraordinary craftsmanship of these humble objects exemplify the refined taste and innovative spirit of the period

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pair of inscribed tea caddiesPair of inscribed tea caddiesPair of inscribed tea caddiesPair of inscribed tea caddiesPair of inscribed tea caddies

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.