Antique Early 19th Century Carved Presentation Box With Named Identification

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Many beautiful antique objects from well appointed homes in China were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. They were either confiscated, … Read more Many beautiful antique objects from well appointed homes in China were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. They were either confiscated, looted, destroyed or given up freely to avoid persecution. This was a dark period in the recent past, not more than 70 some years ago. This object, a presentation box, somehow escaped its fate. The ornate raised carving, filled with auspicious symbols, all wishing for good luck, happy life without care and longevity. The center symbol is the stylized letter "wan" which is he character for ten thousand, and in this case, it symbolizes plenty of everything, happiness, good luck and anything one so wishes. Peaches and bats are for good luck and double coins for doubling the wealth. The cover has a round side and left plain. The bottom half has a waisted apron, beautiful plum blossoms are interwoven into the cracked ice design. Originally it would have been heavily gilded and colored red, and now the colors have faded to an old patina. What is remarkable is the identification. The 2 rows of characters written in black ink are names. The one on the right is the name of the hall, or the house or mansion. The one to the left is the name of the room or hall in which it was kept. See less