ANTIQUE CHINESE PORCELAIN BOX 19th C. QING SILVER / COPPER OPIUM JEWELRY BOX
“PEARL RIVER PLUM” / CANTON OPIUM BOX. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING RENDITION OF “SUKEROKU” (SEE DESCRIPTION OF THIS FAMOUS KABUKI PLAY IN PHOTOS). SUPERBLY RENDERED IN THE VISUALLY ARRESTING STYLE OF THE JIAQING ERA. THE LARGE 7 7/8″ PORCELAIN LID HAND PAINTED IN THE “WUCAI STYLE IS ALMOST JEWEL LIKE IN APPEARANCE. MATED WITH A HAND HAMMERED SILVER “RINSED” (PLATED) COPPER COWLING WHICH IS IN TURN FITTED TO A CORRESPONDING HAND HAMMERED SILVER “RINSED” COPPER BOX. SO FINELY FITTED AS TO CREATE AN ALMOST AIRTIGHT VAULT-LIKE COUPLING. (FORCIBLY) OPENED CHINA TO TRADE THESE BEAUTIFUL CASES BECAME RECOGNIZED / AS A FINE ART ACCESSORY OR KEEPSAKE BOX. ONE VERY PROMINENT FAMILY WHOSE VAST WEALTH WAS INITIALLY CREATED BY DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN OPIUM SMUGGLING WAS WARREN DELANO II. GRANDFATHER OF FUTURE U. PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT. LATER IN LIFE MR. ARMY MEDICAL CORPS FOR THE DURATION OF THE U. THEY DIDN’T TEACH YOU THAT IN U. IT WAS SAID HE WOULD OFTEN GIVE THE NOW EMPTY “PLUMS” AS GIFTS. SPECTACULAR CONDITION WITH NO CRACKS, CHIPS, REPAIRS. THE OVERGLAZE ON THE PORCELAIN IS FLAWLESS / A WONDERFUL PIECE OF ART / HISTORY.
