A HARDWOOD ‘ZODIAC’ BOX AND COVER WITH SILVER REPOUSSÉ AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE INLAYS

A HARDWOOD ‘ZODIAC’ BOX AND COVER WITH SILVER REPOUSSÉ AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE INLAYS Tibet, 1900s. Finely carved, the box supported on a silver repoussé foot rising to a rounded shoulder with a short neck, fitted with a silver ring, surmounted by a lid. The base of the box chased with a wan diaper, decorated with the twelve animals of the zodiac. The rim of the cover is decorated with foliage, beaded rims, and turquoise and coral inlays while the finial is decorated with crashing waves, a snake, rooster, and pig, with a central agate inlay. Provenance: Viennese private collection, acquired in the French antiques market. Condition: Good condition with minor wear, traces of use along the interior, small nicks and dents to the silver repoussé, remnants of adhesive to the cover, and the recessed base showing minuscule signs of insect activity. Presenting very well. Weight: 1.368 g Dimensions: Diameter 21.3 cm Literature comparison: Compare a closely related burlwood box from Tibet, 10.6 cm wide, dated to the late 19th century, in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession number 98.119.1a,b. Compare a related wood box and cover from Tibet in the same form albeit with lacquer decorations, undated, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number IM.201:1, 2-1927. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams Paris, 16 December 2022, lot 256 Price: EUR 6,375 or approx. EUR 6,800 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A silver mounted circular box with Kurukulla, Tibet, 19th century Expert remark: Compare the related form with silver repoussé decorations. Note the lacquer decorations to the cover.