Posted 8 years ago
Bontekoe
(2 items)
I bought these on a trip to London over twenty years ago and I don't actually know what they are. All six have different illustrations of men in uniform and from different English regiments from the 1700s - 1800s. They are a beautiful clear red, 8 1/4"round, made from a material like a gypsum type board less than 1/4" thick and has green felting on the bottom.
I think they might be tea caddies because of the felt bottom and also because some have a little area in the middle where the finish is cracked a little, and I believe from heat. I can imagine a pot of hot tea sitting on them, but I really don't know. Maybe they were used to place on a wood dining table as protection from hot dishes. Nonetheless, they are charming and who doesn't love the look of a man in uniform.
I have moved "my men" from house to house, across state lines hanging on to them for over twenty years, stashed in a drawer somewhere. I would love to display one or two of them on a wall, they are that lovely. However, I truly would like to know exactly how they were used in England, and it would be wonderful to know approximately their age. Please, can anyone "out there" give me some guidance?? Thank you Bontekoe
