Vintage Twining Crosfield Tea Tin – Japanese Mount Fuji Design – c.1940s

This is a lovely example of Japanese-inspired decorative tinware, with its emerald green, gold and silver colouring and a wonderful Mount Fuji landscape.

The address on the base is particularly helpful for dating. Ibex House was completed in 1937, making this a likely late 1930s–1950s tea tin, although an exact manufacturing date remains unconfirmed.

SUGGESTED SELLING PRICE

### £24.00

10 cm tall

10 cm square

A reasonable retail asking price for its age, decoration and identifiable tea-company history, allowing for the considerable surface wear.

## Vintage Twining Crosfield Tea Tin – Japanese Mount Fuji Design – c.1940s

A charming vintage tea tin with a beautifully decorative Japanese-inspired landscape, originally produced for Twining, Crosfield & Co. Ltd of London.

Dating from around the mid-20th century, this square metal tea caddy features a delightful scene depicting Mount Fuji rising above traditional Japanese-style buildings, flowering trees and decorative garden fences.

The striking design combines rich emerald greens, golden yellows, black and silver tones, with intricate geometric borders framing the landscape. Its gently domed, hinged lid is decorated with a green and gold lattice pattern and delicate floral detailing.

The underside retains its original printed wording:

**"Household Blend of Tea – Half Pound Net – Twining Crosfield & Co. Ltd – Ibex House, Minories, London E.C.3."**

### A Little History

Twining, Crosfield & Co. Ltd was established under that name in 1916, taking over the tea blending, packing and wholesale interests previously operated by Harrisons & Crosfield.

The company was part of Britain's long-established tea trade, supplying blended and packaged teas at a time when decorative metal containers were both practical household essentials and attractive advertising pieces.

The Ibex House address is especially interesting. This landmark Art Deco building in London's Minories was completed in 1937, providing a useful clue to the tin's age.

The Japanese-inspired decoration reflects the enduring popularity of Oriental designs in British decorative arts and packaging during the first half of the twentieth century.

### Condition

In well-used vintage condition, with considerable age-related wear, including surface scratches, tarnishing, oxidation, discolouration and areas of deterioration to the decorative finish.

The original hinged lid remains attached and opens.

Despite its wear, much of the colourful Japanese landscape remains visible, giving the tin a wonderfully timeworn appearance and authentic vintage character.

Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

### Why We Love It

It's the combination of the striking green and gold detailing, the atmospheric Mount Fuji landscape and the surviving original tea-company wording that makes this such an appealing piece.

A lovely little survivor from Britain's tea-drinking past, perfect for collectors of vintage tins, advertising memorabilia, Japanese-inspired design or traditional kitchenalia.

Equally at home displayed on a kitchen shelf, amongst a collection of old tins or repurposed for storing little treasures.

**Date:** Probably late 1930s–1950s

**Company:** Twining, Crosfield & Co. Ltd, London

**Material:** Decorated metal tin

**Original use:** Half-pound household blend tea container

**Price: £24.00**

The company history is supported by records held by The London Archives, while Historic England confirms the completion date of Ibex House.

My pricing view: I'd be happy to advertise this at £24 The design has considerable visual appeal,

One final detail worth emphasising: the company name on the base identifies the tea supplier, not necessarily the manufacturer of the metal tin itself. the listing attributed to Twining, Crosfield rather than claiming a particular tin manufacturer.