A vintage square tea caddy tin decorated in a detailed Chinoiserie style with black, gold, and red lithograph printing. The side panels feature figures in traditional dress with fans alongside a seated figure served tea beneath a blossoming tree, while the lid depicts cranes in flight.
This piece dates to circa 1920, reflecting the period following the 1921 merger when Carlisle tin printer Hudson, Scott & Sons joined The Metal Box Company Ltd. The company produced tinware from their historic James Street factory in Carlisle—a site where Hudson Scott had operated since 1869—with the "Hudson Scott Branch" mark remaining in regular production use into the mid-20th century. During the 1920s, British manufacturers widely produced decorative tinware featuring East Asian motifs to meet the booming popularity of Chinoiserie homewares.
Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 9 cm
Markings: Stamped "THE METAL BOX COMPANY LTD (HUDSON SCOTT BRANCH) CARLISLE ENGLAND" along the base rim
Condition: Good, displaying light age-related cosmetic wear and edge rubbing, with a clean interior and secure lid
This piece would suit Chinoiserie, vintage kitchenalia, maximalist, or orientalist decor styles.