Antique Chinese HEAVY 326 G Silver Box with Porcelain Circus Elephant Top Ca. 1900
I’ve come across a few Chinese porcelain boxes within the community, but I have to say that the box shown above truly stands alone. It is unique not only in its stunning detailed depiction, but also in its quality, and condition. First and foremost – the piece from a material standpoint is something to behold. This piece is VERY heavy, weighing in at 326 Grams, or about 11.5 Ounces. The majority of this weight is derived from the antique box’s silver composition. This is not lightweight, cheaply made ensemble. Many years ago (when searching for the perfect antique Chinese porcelain box) I held in my hands probably upwards of two dozen of these beautiful pieces. One of the things I noticed back then, was so many of these boxes were incredibly lightweight. I had a difficult time justifying the asking prices of these boxes when they just didn’t “feel” substantial. The day I held this box – I knew I had found the one. When you hold this box… When you feel its weight pressing at the palm of your hands – there is a certain aura of “quality” that many of these boxes seem to lack. It should be noted as we progress into this antique Chinese porcelain boxes design that the silver can be polished to a bright shine. This is a piece with a 19th century creation date. While this box will indeed polish up to look “new, ” I myself would never elect to do so. Its age is part of what makes it so unique, so special.. To polish this piece up to a sparkling shine, would in essence erase an element of this box’s character. Send me a message specifying you would like the piece polished, and I will happily do the labor for you. Moving on to what is beyond a doubt that most captivating element of these antique Chinese piece – its handmade design. I’d like to start at the silver components of this piece – as it is easy to just focus on the porcelain, and ignore the exemplary silver work. This box is wonderfully shaped. Part of what I have always loved about the piece, is its imperfect shape. It starts off resembling a square, but then becomes more rounded at the top – especially the top left. Even in its shape – this box is just.. This box features two parts – a bottom and top, and splits in two. It is not hinged, but rather both parts separate completely – making cleaning this piece an easy undertaking. The box does indeed close and open, but you have to get the two pieces to match up correctly. The silver edgings can be shaped – but I’ve never felt the need to do any manipulating of the silver, as the close works as is! Take a close look at the edges sides of this box. It is at the sides, that some of my favorite work of artistry on this box is found. The engraved sides are absolutely mesmerizing! I do not know how one could look at this masterful attention to detail, and highly intricate design – and not be impressed. Both the top, and bottom parts of this box boast sides (wrapping around in full) that display 3 layers of raised silver design. There is a row of silver bezels, followed by a row of floral display (flower heads and leaves), and back again to a row of patterned silver bezels. While spectacular on their own, when you put the box together – the display is otherworldly. When put together, the three rows on the box’s top, and three rows of silver on the box’s bottom meet. A six layered silver design at all sides of the box…. : Call me biased, but I have to say I find this design detail nothing short of perfect. Of course, while the silver aspects of this piece are worthy of one’s admiration, it is ultimately the porcelain inlay at the top that steal the show. Before getting into the design itself, please note the condition of the porcelain. No broken parts, no deep cracks or fissures, it has been spared while enduring the test of time. The box’s porcelain design is one that I have yet to see replicated. It depicts that of an age old Chinese circus. Seven Chinese villagers are clad in colorful garb – all defined with incredible attention to detail. Everything from the expressions on their faces, to the hair on their heads is defined. The attention seems to be the unruly elephant calf near the pieces center. For whatever reason, the artwork displayed at the porcelain has always given me a “happy” feeling. Had the villager’s been given different facial expressions, the entirety of the artworks feel would read differently. However, their faces (and body postures) are so joyous! Even the little elephant seems to be smiling. Therefor, this piece becomes almost comedic… How many people does it take to manage a baby elephant? Well, more than seven apparently. The colors within the porcelain are beautiful, and (to this day) vibrant. This piece features yellows, greens, blues, orange, reds, blacks, browns, etc. It, in short, certainly covers the color spectrum! Additionally, I love that some elements of the porcelain were left as is. This unpainted porcelain is used throughout the design, and is responsible for the lovely white evidenced therein the villagers faces and appendages, the foreground, etc. What makes the porcelain so desirable in this piece, is a combination of things. The colors used, the depiction featured, the detail of the design, and — the porcelains excellent condition. I could sit here for hours and talk about this piece…. That said, even if I were to do so, it would leave you no closer to understanding all that this wonderful antique 19th century Chinese porcelain silver box is. You really do have to see it in person.. Feel it in person.. Hold it in person. This is a piece that is close to the heart, and one that took me many years of searching to finally acquire. My hope is that it goes to someone who appreciates it as much as I do. I debated for a long while whether or not to list this box – given my love for it. However, I started to feel guilty hoarding it away. It has been sitting in my office for so many years… I believe it is about time for a pair of eyes other than my own to have the chance to experience this lovely one of a kind piece. Dimensions: Height: 11 cm (4.33 Inches). Width: 12 cm (4.72 Inches). Thickness: 4.5 cm (1.75 Inches). I will get back to you promptly. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Boxes”. The seller is “uniqueluxurygoods” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Type: Boxes
- Region of Origin: China
- Secondary Material: Silver
- Depiction: Chinese Circus
- Age: 1850-1899
- Primary Material: Porcelain & Pottery
- Maker: Unmarked
- Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
- Theme: Elephants
- Painted: Yes
- Color: Multi-Color
