5127

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    Chinese Silver Opium Storage Box

    China
    19th century

    height: 5.4cm

    Sold

    Provenance

    UK art market

    – scroll down to see further images –

    This fine small silver box is for holding the opium block. Such blocks were small (but of high value). They also tended to ooze in warn conditions, so a heavy-gauge box was needed to store them, preferably with a heavy, or tight-fitting lid. Opium also needed to be kept in air-tight conditions, so again, a good lid was needed.

    The lid is surmounted by a fine, crouching solid-cast silver mythical creature.

    The sides are decorated in chased, high relief, with Daoist symbols. The side of the lid is etched with a key-fret pattern.

    The base is stamped in Chinese with the word for ‘perfect’.

    References

    Bertholet, F.M., Opium: Art et Histoire d’un Rituel Perdu, Fonds Mercator, 2007.

    Delalande, D. & E., Memoires d’Opiums/Memories of Opium, Somogy editions, 2011.

    Lee, P., Opium Culture: The Art & Ritual of the Chinese Tradition, Park Street Press, 2006.

    Martin, S., The Art of Opium Antiques, Silkworm Books, 2007.

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