This is a handmade Chinese lacquer begonia tea caddy, a tea container (茶叶罐)with a begonia-shaped form, finished in red-and-gold rhino skin lacquer (Xipi, 犀皮漆), from the Chong Series by HFDlacquerware (禾丰鼎). At 4.3" tall and 3.9" across, it keeps loose-leaf tea close at hand on the tea table, and stands on its own as a display piece.

In the Chong Series (high relief), the groundwork is built up high before the lacquer goes on, so the pattern rises and falls like terraced fields. Each Chong Series piece takes two to three years to make, and the pattern forms on its own, so no two caddies are alike. It arrives in a gift box.

Good tea deserves a good place to wait. Lift the lid, and the first scent of the leaves comes out to meet you.

Also available: see the Begonia Tea Caddies in Black & Gold.