Chinese Faceted Clay Tea Caddy

Updated August 8, 2026

Lot number	561
Auction	WED ESTATE AUCTION STERLING FLATWARE ANTIQUES JEWELRY
Date	August 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
Auction house	Tyler Grace Auctions
Location	Addison, Texas

One faceted, clipped-corner Chinese clay or ceramic tea caddy with a rounded removable lid. It has incised meander borders, Chinese calligraphy apparently representing “???????,” and bamboo and floral decoration. The impressed underside seal isvisually consistent with the supplied reading “????,” but it does not establish manufacture by the historical potter Shi Dabin. Visible condition includes surface dust, speckling, inclusions, minor abrasions and nicks, scuff-like marks, localizeddiscoloration, and worn or uneven dark residue in the incised decoration. A dark irregular area or possible chip/gap is visible near the lid/body junction. Cracks, repairs, interior damage, and lid fit cannot be fully assessed from the photographs.One lid is shown; no separate inner lid is visibly confirmed. No testing performed. Operator notes: It translates poeticizing sincerity and moral purity: "A heart as pure as ice in a jade vase."The Artwork: The adjacent panel features a delicatehand-engraved depiction of bamboo stalks, which culturally signifies resilience and integrity.Construction: This piece features a classic double-lidded design—an outer decorative lid paired with a fitted inner lid to create an airtight seal

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