Covered box

This hexagonal box is decorated on each side with mythical animals and auspicious beasts – makara, cranes, tigers, and dragons - set in landscapes. The hinged cover bears a landscape of architectural forms with figures in Chinese dress. A shop mark on the base reads “tai he” in Chinese, while another mark which would indicate the purity of the silver is illegible. It was probably made in China for the Thai market, and could have been used to hold cosmetics or tobacco. Chinese silversmiths began producing large amounts of silver objects for export in the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

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Covered box

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Covered box

Covered box