EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A CANTONESE IVORY RECTANGULAR WORK BOX AND COVER
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The top and sides intricately and finely carved in relief with figures at leisure in gardens amongst pavilions, rivers and trees, the cover opening to reveal an upper tray with two upright small handles simulating bamboo containing thirteen compartments, seven with detachable covers and six with hinged covers, each cover with a different fruit finial, the covers carved with similar scenes to the box exterior and the sides of the tray with bats amongst scrolling foliage, the tray lifting to reveal a further five compartments, the box with finely chased silver hinges and lock-plate
11¼ x 9½ x 4 3/8 in. (28.5 x 24 x 11.2 cm.), giltwood stand

Provenance

(reputedly) Given as a wedding gift to Elizabeth, Duchess of Wellington (Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria 1861 - 1868 and 1874 - 1880) by her father-in-law, The Duke of Wellington.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Compare the related but slightly larger work box in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated Chinese Export Art and Design, (ed. Craig Clunas), London, 1987, no. 80; and the smaller work box with a painted view in the cover interior, which is in the Richard Milhender collection and is illustrated by Carl L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of The China Trade, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 1991, colour plate 108. A very similar box to the Milhender box was sold in these Rooms, 13 November 2001, lot 204.

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