OLD PETAL-SHAPED TIN TEA SAUCER, Copper-covered, set of 5, Qing Dynasty (1616–1911 CE)

A petal-shaped tea saucer with pronounced projections to left and right and shallow notches at top and bottom. Simply fashioned from hammered tin, it is finished with a narrow copper rim that follows the contour. It is distinguished by a broad, gently arched surface and an undulating outline.

In the Qing dynasty, craftsmen exploited tin’s soft, silvery appearance and its ease of working to produce numerous tea utensils such as teapots and tea saucers. This example is unadorned; its interest lies in the vessel’s form and the combination of different metals. The reverse bears a square mark.

The surface bears a network of fine abrasion marks, imparting a soft, subdued white to the tin. The copper encircling the rim has assumed a restrained yellow‑brown, the two metals’ tones blending together with quiet harmony.

Exhibits wear consistent with age, including scuffs, scratches, discoloration, and slight distortion. Offered as a set of five; when paired with sencha bowls or Chinese teacups, the broadly spreading petal-shaped outline is particularly striking.