Box
about 1775 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This box is made of wood and covered with mother-of-pearl. Inside are three smaller boxes full of counters, used in Europe for keeping the score and as stakes in gambling games. The counters are incised with the arms of the Best family, members of whom were involved with trade between Europe and Asia throughout the 18th century. They ordered Chinese porcelain for their own use on at least two occasions. This box was probably ordered by them in 1775.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 13 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Wood veneered with mother-of-pearl |
Brief description | Box, wood veneered with mother-of-pearl, Guangzhou, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong reign period (1736-1795), about 1775 |
Physical description | Wood box veneered with mother-of-pearl, oblong shape, partly pierced with floral designs, inside with three smaller boxes enclosing gaming counters incised with the arms of the Best family: 25 circular, 43 long oblong, and 44 short oblong. |
Dimensions |
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Styles | |
Gallery label | 78
BOX FOR GAMING COUNTERS
Carved mother of pearl on a wood core
About 1775
13.5 x 6 x 24.5 cm
392-1878(pre 2005) |
Object history | Purchased from Mrs. J. Hains (Red Hill, Chislehurst), accessioned in 1878. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. Inside are three smaller boxes full of counters, used in Europe for keeping the score and as stakes in gambling games. The counters are incised with the arms of the Best family, who were involved with trade to Asia throughout the 18th century, and who ordered Chinese porcelain for their own use on at least two occasions. This box was probably ordered by them in 1775.;;;;;;;;;;;;; |
Summary | This box is made of wood and covered with mother-of-pearl. Inside are three smaller boxes full of counters, used in Europe for keeping the score and as stakes in gambling games. The counters are incised with the arms of the Best family, members of whom were involved with trade between Europe and Asia throughout the 18th century. They ordered Chinese porcelain for their own use on at least two occasions. This box was probably ordered by them in 1775. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 392 to D/3-1878 |
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Record created | February 6, 2003 |
Record URL |
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