Material: Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque, Silver-Tone Metal Mount
Overview: A rectangular cushion-form Chinese shard box, the lid set with a hand-painted famille rose porcelain plaque depicting two court beauties in a garden — one seated in contemplation, one standing holding a lantern — amid flowering blooms in pink, blue, and yellow. The metal body is finished with engraved scrollwork to the sides. A refined example of the Chinese tradition of mounting prized porcelain fragments into functional decorative objects.
Specifications: Length: 6.25" | Width: 4.5" | Height: 1.5" | Form: Rectangular box with hinged lid
Condition: Porcelain plaque excellent; metal body shows age-appropriate tarnishing and discoloration in areas as pictured; fully functional.
Historical Significance: Shard boxes emerged as a cherished collectible tradition during the Qing dynasty, preserving fine painted porcelain in functional silver-mounted forms prized by scholars and literati alike.
