A CANTON IVORY RECTANGULAR BOX AND HINGED COVER

19TH CENTURY, THE METAL FITTINGS LATER

Details

A CANTON IVORY RECTANGULAR BOX AND HINGED COVER
19th century, the metal fittings later
Carved on each side in low relief with quatrefoil cartouches containing figures in a pavilion, reserved on a dense ruyi, scrolling foliage, rock and flower ground, the interior with two finely reticulated ivory tea caddies and covers, each divided by a similar mixing compartment with sliding top lined with pewter, age cracks repaired
9½ x 4½ in. (24.2 x 11.5 cm.)

Lot Essay

Finely carved ivory boxes such as this were also made to contain packs of cards and mother-of-pearl counters. A very similar box, but without tea canisters, was exhibited, A Tale of Three Cities: Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong, 1997, Catalogue no.252, p.192.

More from CHINA TRADE

View All