Details
A PAIR OF KESI POUCHES
19TH CENTURY

Each pouch well worked with a bat suspending a ribboned musical stone flanked by ruyi clouds, all above the gold-couched auspicious characters, wan shou fu wan, longevity and prosperity, encircled by overlapping ruyi and wave borders, the straps with stained bone clasps (slight fraying)
5 in. (12.7 cm.) wide (2)

Lot Essay

These pouches or purses would have been hung with the top loop strap from a belt, as part of the decoration of a formal or ceremonial court belt. Adornments that hung from such belts could include a knife, compass, toothpick case, matchbox and other personal paraphernalia. Examples of court belts with these hanging pouches are found in the National Palace Museum, illustrated in Qingdai Fushi Zhanlan Tulu, Qing Dynasty Costume Accessories, nos. 32 and 33.

(US$2,300-2,800)

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