Chinese Tea Caddy

Squat lidded jar topped with a tiered spire like a miniature pagoda.

This pewter tea caddy is from Hebei Province, China. Tea has been grown and drunk in China for many centuries, and sealed metal canisters are one traditional way of keeping leaves dry and fresh. Rounded body with a ridged shoulder and a lid that rises in graduated rings to a pointed finial. The rim flares in a gentle, wavy edge. The matte dark grey surface is dusty, softly scuffed and unevenly dull. It is 5 inches wide, 5 deep, 8.5 high and 0.03 in diameter.

A lot of steeple for a modest pot.