695 - Turtle with red stones in base metal and lidded box in the form of a crab in ceramic

Turtle with red stones in base metal and lidded box in the form of a crab in ceramic 1) Figure of a turtle, base metal, gold-coloured, dark patina, unmarked, shell, head, four legs and tail set all over with round red stones in rope-twist bezels, shell divided into fields by rope-twist ribs, eyes of small blue stones, tail ribbed, underside of smooth sheet metal, in condition commensurate with age, four stones missing, underside dented, 3x11x8 cm (HxLxW); 2) lidded box in the form of a crab, ceramic, cream-white glazed, unmarked, legs and claws lying against the sides, the shell as removable lid with two blue curved strokes, eyes, claws and legs painted blue, rims of box and lid unglazed, in condition commensurate with age, glaze crazed, rubbed in places, 4x10x6 cm (HxLxW) In China the turtle is one of the four supernatural creatures, representing the north as the Black Tortoise (xuanwu), and is regarded as a symbol of long life, wisdom and patience; as bearer of the world, its flat body stands for the earth and its domed shell for the heavens. In Feng Shui the turtle figure serves as a symbol of protection and good fortune. In Japan, lidded boxes in crab form were made as lacquer work for fish dishes. The turtle with stone setting as a good luck charm and the crab box as a ceramic box in animal form are animal figures of these two traditions; the crab box is a related form.