Antique Chinese Porcelain Erotic Trinket Box With Dragon Metal Mount

Details

Description

Unusual antique Chinese porcelain trinket or incense box featuring hand-painted polychrome decoration and an elaborate metal mounting with a prominent … Read more Unusual antique Chinese porcelain trinket or incense box featuring hand-painted polychrome decoration and an elaborate metal mounting with a prominent dragon medallion.

The round porcelain box is decorated on the exterior with colorful figural scenes and Chinese calligraphy, while the ornate metal framework wraps around the porcelain and adds wonderful dimension and character. The central dragon motif and aged metal surface give the piece a particularly striking appearance.

The interior reveals a hand-painted erotic figural scene, a fascinating contrast to the more traditional imagery decorating the exterior. Chinese erotic porcelain objects were made as private decorative or personal pieces, and examples such as this are sometimes described by collectors as erotic trinket, seal-paste or incense boxes.

DETAILS
• Antique Chinese porcelain covered box
• Hand-painted polychrome decoration
• Interior erotic figural scene
• Ornate metal mounting with dragon medallion
• Chinese calligraphy and figural decoration
• Porcelain and metal construction
• Approximately 4 1/2” diameter
• Approximately 2” tall
• Likely late Qing to early Republic period / late 19th to early 20th century

CONDITION
Good antique condition with no chips or cracks to the porcelain. Tarnish and oxidation are visible on the metal mounting, consistent with age. The aged metal surface has been left as found and contributes to the antique character of the piece.

Any photo of the inside we have placed red marks through the erratic scene for discretion. See less