CHINA, a compressed brick of dark Pu’er Cha tea. It could serve as a measure of value, as food in times of famine, as a remedy for lung diseases, or, more naturally, as a drink. Early 20th century. The front is decorated with a series of five stars in a row, a pagoda with three porticos and two rows of text in Chinese characters. The reverse is decorated with interlaced curved line motifs. L. 24 x 19 cm Thickness: 2.4 cm Signs of wear; some flaking. The translation of the text reads as follows: ‘Tea garden of the Sigongye Company’s public plantations’