CHINE - Epoque QIANLONG (1736 - 1795)

Small rectangular cabinet in zitan wood opening to four drawers, two of which keep objects of a scholar carved in archaic nephrite: cicada, double gourd, silkworm, ring, Zhang, etc. and two wooden covers of an album. The gilt bronze hinges of stylized foliage. (Misses, chips and restorations) H. 10 cm L. 12 cm D. 8,5 cm Provenance : Benjamin Bories, by descent Reference: Similar examples in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. In the notes of Ming Dynasty scholars, it is mentioned that they often carried a box in which they could store more than twenty items of stationery when traveling. This box can be considered as a precursor of the "Duo bao ge" of the Qing Dynasty. During the reigns of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors of the Qing Dynasty, the country was strong and the literary style flourished. Elegant literary objects developed and flourished. The Qianlong emperor was particularly fond of collecting and appreciated antiques. According to the records of the Qing Dynasty, the Qianlong Emperor regularly ordered the production of various boxes for the preservation of antiques. These elaborate and beautifully designed boxes for preserving antiques were known as "Duo bao ge", which means a small box for collecting many treasures.