Chinese Cloisonné Enamel 'Flora and Butterfly' Circular Lidded Box, 19th Century.
The circular lidded box is crafted with brass wires and filled with vibrant cloisonné enamels against a turquoise-blue ground decorated with a continuous "swastika" (wanzi) fretwork matrix. The slightly domed cover is centered with a medallion of blossoming peonies, plum blossoms, and a fluttering butterfly. The cylindrical sides continue the garden narrative with scrolling floral sprays, plum blossoms, and butterflies in flight. The interior of both the lid and box, as well as the base, are applied with a smooth, solid sky-blue enamel ground. The underside of the base is distinctly impressed with a stylized, conjoined "MADE IN CHINA" export mark. Height: 3 in .; Diameter: 4.25 in.
Condition
The box is in structurally stable and fair antique/vintage condition. There are noticeable areas of enamel loss, pit marks, and oxidation, particularly along the interior rims and the outer edges where the brass wirework meets the enamel. The exterior body exhibits some minor surface scuffs, small pitting inherent to manufacturing, and a natural, aged patina with tarnish to the exposed gilt-brass rims. The impressed mark on the base remains clearly legible despite minor unevenness in the surrounding enamel layer.
The circular lidded box is crafted with brass wires and filled with vibrant cloisonné enamels against a turquoise-blue ground decorated with a continuous "swastika" (wanzi) fretwork matrix. The slightly domed cover is centered with a medallion of blossoming peonies, plum blossoms, and a fluttering butterfly. The cylindrical sides continue the garden narrative with scrolling floral sprays, plum blossoms, and butterflies in flight. The interior of both the lid and box, as well as the base, are applied with a smooth, solid sky-blue enamel ground. The underside of the base is distinctly impressed with a stylized, conjoined "MADE IN CHINA" export mark. Height: 3 in .; Diameter: 4.25 in.
Condition
The box is in structurally stable and fair antique/vintage condition. There are noticeable areas of enamel loss, pit marks, and oxidation, particularly along the interior rims and the outer edges where the brass wirework meets the enamel. The exterior body exhibits some minor surface scuffs, small pitting inherent to manufacturing, and a natural, aged patina with tarnish to the exposed gilt-brass rims. The impressed mark on the base remains clearly legible despite minor unevenness in the surrounding enamel layer.
