Chinese Silver Cosmetics Box, Decorated with Bats and a Peach, circa 1880

View Similar Items

Small Chinese Cloisonné Lidded Box decorated with peaches, Circa 1930

Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box

Chinese Export Silver Repousse Dragon and Landscape Box

Chinese Export Silver Tea Set with Original Box Zee Wo

Antique Chinese Export Silver Goblet, circa 1900

Chinese Etched Brass Box with Carved Jade Inset Top, Circa 1900

Antique Chinese Export Silver Box by Wang Hing

Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere with Dragons and Figures

Chinese Silver Repoussé Box with Warriors, Early 20th Century, China

Antique 1880s Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish

Chinese Cloisonné Vase with Large Phoenix and Dragon, circa 1940s

Chinese Canton Enamel Round Stacking Boxes and Cover, circa 1900, China

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 7

Chinese Silver Cosmetics Box, Decorated with Bats and a Peach, circa 1880

About the Item

A Chinese silver cosmetics box, decorated with bats and a peach, circa 1880 Often mistakenly identified as Qingming boxes after the important Chinese Qingming Jie festival. This holiday is also called “tomb sweeping day” and as such is a day - much like “all souls day” - where people visits and tidy up graves of family members. Qingming Jie is very much associated with Moths (associated with the souls of the deceased people) and the highly stylized bats on these kind of boxes are often mistaken for Moths, hence the name Qingming boxes. In fact the bat and peach decoration has a very long tradition in Chinese symbolism. As a decorative motive the Bat stands for happiness, as the Chinese words for bat and happiness are both fú (they sound the same although the Chinese characters differ and as such are called homonyms). The peach (Tao) is among the most used symbols in Chinese culture and refers to longevity. These kind of silver boxes became highly popular in court culture during the Qing dynasty. This particular box is fitted with 3 compartments (for various kind of cosmetics) and has a hinged lit. On the hinge is another bat, that hangs upside down. This also has deeper meaning. The Chinese phrase of “upside down” (Dao) sounds similar to “has arrived” (Dao) again an homonym. That way the combined symbols – Fú, Tao and Dao - on this box are to be interpreted that lifelong happiness has arrived, making it a talisman, wishing the holder a long life of happiness. The silver box bears a stamped unidentified mark. On its sides the silver box is engraved with a frieze of stylized leaves, bamboo and flowers It’s most likely made in the end of the 19th century, circa 1880. Dimensions: H. 3.5 cm W. 6.3 cm D. 7.0 cm Weight: 68 grams Literature: Adrien von Ferscht, “Definitely not a bat out of hell” – Chinese-export-silver. Shipping As we pack all our items ourselves, we can on your behalve negotiate a more economic shipping option with 1stDibs. Please contact us if you would like further information.

Dimensions:
Height: 1.38 in (3.5 cm)Width: 2.49 in (6.3 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)
Style:
Chinese Export (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Silver,Embossed,Engraved,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1880
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. This piece is in overall good condition. It does has some minor scratches and pinpoint dents on the edges and the bottom. I selected "fair" to be as clear as possible about the condition.
Seller Location:
EL Waalre, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5141217731971