Height: 1 1/2 inches, 4 cm
Width: 3 inches, 7.3 cm
Depth: 2 inches, 5.5 cm

Huanghuali shaped miniature box

China, 18th - 19th century

A miniature huanghuali box and cover of shaped form. The domed lid is carved with knots and tendrils and two shaped branches form the base. Both box and lid are gently hollowed out.

It is impossible to determine for which purpose this small box was made, but the fact that both the box and the lid are hollowed out means that the box did have a purpose and was not just ornamental