Lot Essay
The inscription inside the cover may be read in Chinese 'Tong qing chi ci', which may be translated, 'Imperially bestowed in (Commemoration of) Mutual (Occasion for) Celebration'. The inscription on the underside of the wood base may be read in Chinese 'Shaozhi wu nian feng zao', which may be translated, 'Made to commission in the fifth year of the Shaozhi era'.
The Shaozhi era fell in the reign of the third emperor of the Nguyen dynasty of Yue (Annam, now Vietnam), known as Emperor Zhang, AD 1841-47.
The Shaozhi era fell in the reign of the third emperor of the Nguyen dynasty of Yue (Annam, now Vietnam), known as Emperor Zhang, AD 1841-47.