Pair of Tiered Food Carriers

This pair of 19th century Northern Chinese stacked boxes were used to carry food while travelling. Traditionally a rod would have been inserted through the brass handle so that two attendants could carry each box. There are mirror images of Chinese characters written on each that translate, "made in the year of bingyin," which would date these boxes as 1866 or 1926. Bingyin is part of the Chinese sexagenary cycle, which is a cycle of sixty-year terms that correspond to the lunar calendar.

Additional Dimensions
Top compartment: 19.5"W x 13.25"D x 3.25"H
Mid compartment: 19.5"W x 13.25"D x 3.5"H
Bottom compartment: 19.5"W x 13.25"D x 4.5"H