Original Antique Chinese Tea Canister Table Lamp. Gold on a black metal field. Made from a metal container that was originally used to store tea in a English food shop. Before the invention of individual tea bags the only way to purchase tea was in loose leaves sold by weight. Because every person liked their tea a different strength loose tea enabled them to add as much or as little tea needed to make the desired flavour. As tea became less and less expensive to import and the consumption of tea became a national trait quite of ten tea was sold by number. The number on this canister is "10" so easy enough to order half a pound of Number Ten tea to take home. The tea tin has been rewired for American electricity. With gold mottled shade. Measures 37" tall with shade on. Shade 15"x15". Lamp 9"x9"x18". Weight 7 pds.

some wear, 2 small dents to top