It is quite unusual to find a bamboo veneer box which is both embellished with inlays and extensively carved with fine details, suggesting that this piece was made for Imperial use.

The style of carving may be likened to that found on several bamboo veneer pieces in the Palace Museum, illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, vol. 11, pl. 61 for a scholar's box, and pl. 63 for a tiered box set. Compare also the hatstand with inlaid embellishments, illustrated, ibid., pl. 60.