Finely Woven Stacking Box

The basic form of this three-tiered Chinese box has remained unchanged for a thousand years. Used like a modern lunchbox, each tier of this portable stacking box would have been filled with food and carried around by the handle. With an elaborate design and finely woven exterior, this late 19th-century example was likely used by a wealthy household for ceremonial outings.

Set within a carved frame, each tier of this round box is finely woven with thin strips of smoked bamboo to form a pattern of dots bordered by a simple meander. The lid features a central 囍 symbol for "double happiness," a traditional symbol of marriage and conjugal bliss. The bent bamboo handle is reinforced with decorative brass hardware and elaborately carved with trailing vines, archaistic dragons, and scenes depicting visual puns for good fortune. A beautiful example of Qing-dynasty everyday objects, this stacking box is one of the best we've seen in our 20 years of collecting.

Additional Dimensions:
Top Tier: 6" H x 17.5" Dia
Middle Tier: 6" H x 17.5" Dia
Bottom Tier: 7" H x 17.5" Dia