Chinese Export Silver Figural Scholars Box c1850 46oz Start Price USD 3,850.00 Current Price USD 3,850.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 4,250.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, August 31, 2008 End Time Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Location New England See more about 'Chinese Export Silver Figural Scholars Box c1850 46oz' Description IMPORTANT c1850 CHINESE EXPORT SILVER SCHOLAR'S BOX; CLASSIC RECTANGULAR DESIGN; SCENES OF DAILY LIFE; FIGURES AT PLAY; WALLED FORTRESS, PRACTICING MARTIAL ARTS; TALL PINE TREES, BAMBOO AND LUSH FOLIAGE; EXCELLENT CONDITION; SIGNED; 46 OUNCES We are quite pleased to offer this museum worthy mid 19th century Chinese export silver scholar's box. Signed. An important part of our personal collection for over thirty years. One of the largest and most lavishly decorated China trade silver boxes we have ever owned. Now offered on Ebay. The box meticulously hand crafted in classic rectangular form. Gently domed cover. Well hinged. Both cover and sides lavishly repoussed with classic scenes of Chinese life. Each beautifully carved scene, completely distinct from the others. The cover with figures on horseback and foot. Making their way to the entrance of a walled fortress. A figure watches carefully from the safety of his thick, stone turret. Tall pine trees, bamboo and lush foliage abounds. The sides with travelers on horseback, children at play. A figure practicing martial arts. A seated elder watches. Commenting on his form. A child chases his dog, while mother stands behind. Calling for him to come home. Woman in long robe standing on a mat, fan overhead. An elder calls to her. Streaming floral and leaf border designs throughout. Each scene set against fine hand hammered, stippled background. Accentuates the primary designs perfectly. Never monogrammed. This mid 19th century China trade silver figural scholar's box is 8 3/4 inches by 5 1/2 inches and 3 inches tall. Exceptionally thick, heavy guage solid silver construction, weighs 46 ounces. Yes. Forty-six ounces. In excellent condition. Rich, lustreous silver patina, both inside and out. Cover closes flush to base. The lavishly detailed figural scenes, depicting martial arts, figures at dance and play and others entering walled fortress retain much of their original crisp, hand chased detail. Some rubbing to highest points, mostly on cover as shown. Single old restoration to side, along leaf border, not terribly distracting. Signed in Chinese characters, centre underside, untranslated. For the most discerning collector of Chinese export silver. An exceptionally large, mid 19th century China trade silver scholars box. Profusely decorated with scenes of Chinese daily life. Signed. Please feel free to inquire directly about this, or any item we've listed. Whether the item is alone or part of a set. We very much welcome your interest. We are collectors first. As such, we are quite easy to work with. We happily combine items when shipping, saving you costs. We ship twice weekly, usually US Postal Priority. Fully insured for domestic packages, and air parcel overseas. We charge a bit more than actual cost for custom size boxes, shipping materials and to pay for professional packing. We make great effort to accurately describe each item listed. Returns are accepted, if either condition, country of origin or dating is significantly incorrect. In such cases we refund your shipping costs as well. Like you, we are only human, and make mistakes. Hopefully, not too many. Remember, the items you see are antiques. Hence, have an expected amount of wear from normal use. As such, returning an item because we failed to mention the tiniest bit of wear, or barely discernible flaw is not acceptable. Nor do we accept returns based on buyer's remorse. Nor change of taste, or because a buyer did not realize how "small" four inches might be once in hand. Please note, Massachusetts residents are subject to sales tax. We have over 4210 feedbacks. And, are quite proud of our 99.9% rating. We received favorable notice in the March 12th, 2006 New York Times. Page 8, Business Section, in a well written article on silver collecting. Copy furnished upon request. From our personal collection, a fine mid 19th century coin silver basket by Edward & John Moore is illustrated in the cover article in May/June 2008 Silver Magazine. Enjoy....and good fortune in your bidding. Place a Bid!