Chinese Tea Caddy Porcelain Canister Double Lid Herb Infuser Apothecary Jar

What a unique and beautiful design item - with fascinating past! This Antique Chinese Tea Caddy / Porcelain Canister was likely used as Herb Infuser /Apothecary Jar, circa 19th Century to early 20th.  Blue and white porcelain featuring a hand-painted landscape scene with mountains, trees, and birds—often referred to as flow blue in style.  Simple Cylindrical Form with Domed Cover and second interior lid. Tiny handles on each side. It is supported by an aged, rustic metal stand (scroll down to read its description).  While these jars, with their double lids, were traditionally used to store tea, tobacco or ginger to ensure preservation. This one, with its metal stand, is more likely to have been used by a Chinese apothecary or healer as an infuser of medicinal herbs. See photo of nearly identical item in the collection of the Nanaimo Museum.  SIZE: Measures 6 1/2” H by 4” diameter.  CONDITION: Overall very good vintage condition with one note: There is a hairline crack, which I believe to be a surface one. See close-ups in last photo.  Museum Description: Herb Infuser used in apothecary or traditional Chinese Medicine. Ginseng and dry herbs are placed in clayware container and hot water is poured in, then lid is put on and the whole unit would be placed in a large pot of hot water. Infuser consists of a round white clayware vessel and fitted lid, both decorated with blue design. The vessel piece fits inside a round metal footed stand. Categories: Artifacts - Clay & Metal