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Qing Decorative Boxes

QING STYLE

The last imperial dynasty from 1644 to 1912 was a time of change in China, beginning with the invasion by Manchurian forces that ended the Ming dynasty and established the Shunzhi Emperor. The expansion of exportation and trade that had bolstered the arts during the Ming era continued, as Qing dynasty furniture involved the same attention to craftsmanship with expert construction techniques in hardwood pieces that were assembled with mortise and tenon joints rather than nails or glue. Together, these eras comprise a golden age of Chinese furniture design.

Ming-style furniture is simple and elegant with clean lines. Chairs of the period and other Ming furniture made an impression on Scandinavian modernist Hans Wegner and his streamlined seating, for example. Whereas Qing-style furniture is elaborate, with an increasing influence from the West leading to lavish carving inspired by the European Baroque and Rococo styles. And while many of the forms that define examples of the latter are common within classical Chinese furniture, such as curving and folding chairs as well as large screens, Qing designs are laden with ornamentation. Frequently, the carved motifs and inlaid designs in mother-of-pearl were auspicious, such as peonies for wealth or dragons for luck. Bats were symbols of happiness in the design of Qing furniture, with one of the characters in the word for bat, bianfu, being a homophone for fu, or “fortune.”

While several types of wood were used in the construction of Qing beds, tables, storage pieces and seating, today’s collectors know that the most prized were the rare rosewoods zitan and huanghuali. They were both sourced from Hainan, China’s largest island, and are marked by a rich luster that occurs naturally, without the application of lacquer or other decorative materials. Many of the most popular woods were imported from southeast Asia, adding to their value. Red sandalwood was also sought after for its durability and connection with Chinese medicine, with some chairs being made for health benefits.

Find a collection of antique Qing tea tables, stools, benches, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Qing
C. 1891-1911 Chinese 2-Color Appliqué Carved & Molded Lacquer Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Chinese, 1891-1911, 2-color appliqué carved & molded lacquer box. Rare 2 color blue to green appliqué carved & molded lacquer on brass body box raised on brass bracket feet. A techni...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Pair Of Antique Chinese Cloisonne Quail Boxes, Qing Dynasty, Late 19Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE CHINESE CLOISONNE TRINKET BOXES Extremely tactile little boxes in the form of a male and female quail with polychrome enamels. Very characterful and charming depiction of t...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Late Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Document Box with Gilt Floral Scrolling Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese red lacquer document box, dating to the late Qing dynasty (19th to early 20th century), exudes timeless elegance and functionality. Crafted from softwood, the bo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Softwood

Petite Chinese Brass Opium Box with Dragon Etching
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite metal canister was once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Providing an airtight seal, the small box is formed of brass with an etched and stamped d...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Lacquered Happiness Box with Birds & Blossoms, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This finely lacquered box was once presented as a gift, filled with popular snacks like roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and cinnamon-toasted soy beans. Dated to the late 19th centu...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquered Treasure Chest Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period red lacquered treasure chest box from the 19th century, with brass hardware. Born during the 19th century, this exquisite Qing Dynasty red lacquered treasure ch...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Lattice Top Incense Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This slender metal container is a 19th-century white brass incense burner, used for storing and burning incense sticks. The small box has a rectangular form and a removable sliding t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Cloisonne Box with Carved Jade Inset Medallion
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa 1900 Chinese box decorated with green, blue, red and yellow floral design set against a white background. The top with a carved white jade floral medallion. The apple green ena...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Jade, Brass

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated all over beautifully with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing dynasty. Colored black and gold all-over beautifully with intricate designs.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Lao Tian Li Cloisonne Cylindrical Box, Late Qing Dynasty, China
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful antique Chinese cloisonné cylindrical box and cover by Lao Tian Li, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The box of cylindrical form and w...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper, Enamel

Chinese Reverse Glass Treasure Chest. c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th-century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with relief carvings and delicate gilt paintings. The doors bear ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass, Elm

Chinese Qing Lacquered and Inlaid Handled Sewing Box
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and fine antique Chinese Qing lacquered and inlaid papier mache handled sewing box with decorative panels dating from latter 19th or early 20th century. The sewing box is of round cylindrical shape with a swing carry handle and is inlaid with mother of pearl and abalone. The body is made up of eight oval shaped scenes of typical Chinese style with buildings and people picked out with inset abalone and mother of pearl and highlighted and contained within a gilded border. These are set between bands of patterned abalone and against a blue silk background. A similar band of abalone is applied to the swing handle. The cover sits within a recess and is made up of bands on inset abalone with cut out triangular designs and set over blue silk with a small finely carved mother of pearl handle...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Silk, Lacquer

White Brass Five Blessings Chinese Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this finely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the hands of a wealthy lady on a cold winter's night in northern China. The portable brazier is hand-w...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

18th/19th Century Chinese Cinnabar Circular Box with Multiple Cartouches
Located in New York, NY
An 18th/19th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box with multiple cartouches of Families. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the main top panel of the box. The top pa...
Category

1790s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Decorative Antique Chinese Stacking Box, Shanxi Province
Located in Kastrup, DK
A portable stacking box featuring five separate tiers, crafted from limewood and originally coated in black lacquer. Remnants of the lacquer are still visible, lending the container ...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Chinese Gilt Lacquer Hat Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hide, Fabric, Wood

Antique Chinoiserie Box
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinoiserie decorated fruit box. Beautiful decorated Chinoiserie box used to serve fruits and specail treats. Hand gilt painting over red lacquer. Strong patina of wear so...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese White Brass Happiness Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this petite 19th-century brass brazier once warmed the hands of a well-to-do person on a cold winter's night in northern China. The brazier is crafted of white brass in a rectangular form, complete with a hinged handle and an intricately pierced lid with a chrysanthemum pattern. The exterior is etched with a pattern of golden coins...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Baitong Stacking Incense Clock, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This three-tiered container is a 19th-century white brass incense clock, once used as a relatively accurate method to mark the passage of time. Incense c...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Round red lacquered and gold leaf work box - China 19th Qing Dynasty
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent round box in red lacquer in two parts. Completely decorated by hand. With gilded, gold decoration. There are floral and geometric decorations, handmade interlacing, with gold leaf. The box is placed on 4 feet. The interior is lacquered black. Very nice dimensions. This box shows some wear due to its age and authenticity. This round Chinese box in red and gold lacquered woven bamboo Was probably a wedding box, a work box, a storage box. It can be used as a hat box, sewing box, games box or tea bag box...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Chinese Petite Repoussé Traveling Mirror, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite traveling mirror dates to the early 20th century and is crafted with a metal frame embellished with allover repoussé decoration. Designed after Qing-dynasty vanity boxes,...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Petite Etched Chinese Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite 19th-century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box is formed of brass with a copper interior and...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper

Chinese Altar Opium Stand with Dali Marble, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the mid-19th century, this petite hardwood box captures in miniature the elaborate form of a traditional Chinese altar table. Crafted of a dense hardwood, the narrow box is ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

Chinese Antique Lidded Carrying Box
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Antique Lidded Carrying Box from the early 20th century with lid and carved handle. Unveil a world of timeless elegance with this Chinese late Qi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Small Chinese Cloisonne and Hardstone Trinket Box, Republic Period, China
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely small Chinese export cloisonne trinket box with a carved hardstone roundel, Early Republic Period circa 1915, China. The small cloisonne box set on four short bun feet, and...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Copper, Enamel

Chinese Gilt Lacquer Stacking Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This finely painted box was once presented as a gift, filled with popular snacks like roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and cinnamon-toasted soy beans. Used like a modern lunchbox, e...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Cloisonne Double Peach Box, Republic Period, early 20th century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Chinese turquoise ground cloisonne "double peach" box and cover with shaped hardwood stand, Republic Period (1911 to 1949), early 20th century, China. The box formed as a p...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Hardwood Jewelry Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this elegant rosewood box was used by a Qing-dynasty lady to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Small Chinese Black Cloisonne Box, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
A small and lovely Chinese black ground cloisonne box with peony design, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The small cloisonne box raised on four bun feet, and decorated with a design of blossoming peony against a black enamel ground inlaid with geometric wire work in the "wan" pattern. The large blooms of peony depicted in pleasing shades of red, pink, and yellow enamel, with leaves of dark and light green enamel. The colored enamels pop against the black cloisonne...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Shagreen Glasses Case with Tassels, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese spectacle case is carved from wood with a striking shagreen covering. The case dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), still in wonderful condition with a rich deep col...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Chinese Canton Enamel Round Stacking Boxes and Cover, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely lovely Chinese export pink Canton enamel round stacking box and cover, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The circular stacking box consists of a bowl form base, ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Yellow Cloisonne Dragon Box, Republic Period, circa 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Chinese yellow cloisonne small trinket box with dragons, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The small box sets on four bun feet and designed ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Hardwood Opium Bowl Stand, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to resemble a scroll-form altar table, this narrow footed box has an elegant silhouette with waterfall sides and minimal ornamentation. Dated to the late 19th century, the b...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Red Lacquer Wedding Chest with Hand-Painted Décor, Qing Dynasty
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark red lacquer wooden wedding chest from the 19th century with unusual shape, hand-painted floral décor and brass hardware. Created in China ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Red Lacquer Hide Box, c. 1880
Located in Chicago, IL
This small treasure box from the late 19th century exemplifies the lavish splendor of the Qing-dynasty (1644-1911) decorative arts, finished with intricate surface embellishment and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Eternal Love Offering Box, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This ornately carved 19th-century offering box would have been presented as a gift filled with popular Chinese snacks, including roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and soybeans toaste...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Paint, Wood

Mid-19th Century Chinese Export Papier Mache Round Tea Canister Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century Chinese Export papier mache round tea canister box. Qing dynasty. Scarlet ground with a surround of exquisitely hand gilded & painted tea scenes. Some scuffs & inner...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paper

1891-1911 Chinese Cinnabar Stamp Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1891-1911 Chinese cinnabar stamp box. The red lacquer carved with a garden scene & a sage under a tree. Hinged. Sides are fully carved as well. Marked "China". Late Qing Dynasty. 3 3...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone

Antique Qing Blue & White Porcelain Box, Unsigned, China, Late 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Qing Dynasty Blue & White porcelain box with cover - hand painted with the double happiness symbol to the top and meandering vines ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Small Antique Keepsake Box, Oriental, Decorative Case, Qing Dynasty, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique keepsake box. An Oriental, mahogany and exotic stone inlaid decorative Qing dynasty case, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Eye-catching Oriental el...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone

18th century Chinese hard wood coffer chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare 18th century perhaps earlier hard wood coffer, circa 1790. Presented in original un-restored condition.  Original handles and metal work to outer edges. Lid opens on ringed ha...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Picnic Box, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
The basic form of this two-tiered box with handle has remained unchanged for 1,000 years. Stacked boxes were commonly used as portable containers for food or ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Late 19th Century Qing Carved Lacquer and Varnished Wood Decorative Box, China
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Qing lacquer and hand-carved varnished wood decorative box, China By: unknown Material: wood, lacquer Technique: carved, hand-carved, hand-crafted, lacquered, varn...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Qing Period Huanghuali Wood and Bronze Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese Huanghuali wood box decorated with bronze mountings and motifs of bats, fish and moths. The top features a classic Chinese medallion mounted to the centre of the lid. In un...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Canton Enamel Lobed Round Box, Qianlong Mark, Late Qing Dynasty, China
Located in Austin, TX
A well painted Chinese Canton enamel lobed round box and cover featuring the Eight Immortals, with a Qianlong mark to the underside, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China The deligh...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Mother of Pearl Mounted Box with Four Boxes and Counters, 18th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Chinese mother of pearl mounted games box with four matching interior boxes containing gaming counters and dating from the 18th century. The rectangular shape...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Tiered Wedding Box with Nailheads and Dark Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period wooden tiered wedding box from the 19th century, with carved sides, handle and nailheads. This Qing Dynasty period wooden tier...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

19th Century Chinoiserie Gilt Painted Box
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Chinese chinoiserie gilt painted box. Lacquer work box of very high quality. Beautifully painted.  
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Black Lacquer Snack Box, c. 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered box was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box w...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Leather Box
Located in Singapore, SG
This antique leather box from Shanxi province has an original dark, almost black, exterior, and a deep maroon leather interior. The characteristic cracked leather texture throughout ...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather, Pine

Qing Dynasty Red Lacquered Scroll Box with Distressed Gold Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll box from the 19th century with distressed gold chinoiserie motifs. This exquisite Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Large Chinese Pigskin Storage Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century large pigskin storage box, Chinese. Late Qing dynasty. Burnt red color & silvered brass or paktong fittings; the handles & their back plates of good quality. Label ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A work of art in itself, this finely woven Qing-dynasty trunk likely once stored prized painted scrolls. Framed in elmwood, the trunk’s panels are lined with thin reeds that were pai...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Circa 1860 Chinese Domed Top Pigskin Leather Scroll Case Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 domed top pigskin leather scroll case box, Chinese. Gilt frontice & side panel designs with handsome brass fittings. Deep red, the top rubbed away to burnt orange. Qing Dy...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hide

Chinese Turquoise Cloisonne Melon Form Box, Republic Period, China
Located in Austin, TX
A fun and attractive Chinese turquoise ground cloisonne melon-form box, Republic Period, circa 1930's, China. The whimsical box shaped like a plump, oblong melon, with nicely define...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Early 20th century lacquered vanity box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century lacquered vanity box circa 1910. Good quality chinese export table top vanity box.  Hand painted in a plum and black colour scheme in a lacquered finish. Cube sh...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This finely woven circa 1800 trunk is a work of art in itself and was possibly used to store prized painted scrolls. A skilled artisan painstakingly wove thin-as-hair reeds to cover ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Elm, Lacquer, Reed

Chinese Turquoise Cloisonne Trinket Box, Republic Period, c 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Chinese turquoise cloisonne trinket box with images of the Hundred Antiques, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The rectangular box de...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Huanghuali Document Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Huanghuali document box with original brass mounts. Features a rectangular lid with ornate cut-out brass corners, brass bound down a...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Qing decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $276 and tops out at $57,280 while the average work can sell for $980.

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