Small Cambodian Silver Elephant Box

Antique Hindu brass decorative box. This is an antique Mughal style brass Indian ornate locking trinket box container. It has six compartments that lock ...

A fine and impressive antique solid Chinese Export Silver cigarette box; an addition to our diverse silver box collection This fine antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) cigarette box has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners. The surface of the body of the box is plain with an applied molded border to the rim. The subtly domed hinged cover of the box is ornamented with the contemporary engraved monograph initials ‘CBK’ in addition to a moulded border to the rim. The hallmarks struck to the underside of this impressive box include: Maker's mark: WH (Wang Hing & Company) Silver quality/purity mark: 90 (900/1000) Character mark: Untraced. Note: The majority of such boxes have a wood lining to the interior to provide strength, due to a poor gauge of silver; a sign of quality when examples are unlined and of solid silver. Condition This antique cigarette box...

A fine Korean iron box that was traditionally used to store tobacco leaves dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The box is made from iron and has a heavy weight, although the wears along the edges of the lid and base exposes a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal may contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship depicts a pair of deer within the circled square (shape of heaven and earth) and a lined background on the long sides and a crane with spread wings on the shorter sides. Both animals were associated with longevity. Their eyes were highlighted with copper inlay, adding a lively touch to the animation. The lid is centered with a Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony). The large symbol was set on geometrical background of tightly scrolling diamond pattern surrounded by stylized Ruyi mushroom heads, another floral longevity symbol. Archaic fret cloud band borders the entire perimeters of the lid and the container. Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay, a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art...

A Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, round with a collet foot and profusely decorated with applied prunus. against a smooth plain background. The box has...

This lovely silver box exemplifies Japanese refinement in all crafts. Precious in the hand, the petite bonbonnière is formed of high quality silver in the shape of a paper folding fa...

This lovely silver box exemplifies Japanese refinement in all crafts. The petite bonbonnière is formed of high quality silver with a rectangular cartouche form and a removable lid. T...

Chinese export silver repousse scenic box, depicting traditional scene of a mandarin riding his horse on the cover. The sides are decorated with stylized plant pattern. Marked "90" f...

A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on t...

Beautifully crafted vintage Japanese urn shaped vase, featuring elephant head double handles in bronze and enamel. Colorful enamel adorns the vase...

Decorated with silver inlay and cloaked in an antique patina, this curious brass case is an early 20th century betel nut box, attributed to the Maranao people of the island of Mindan...