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Chinese Boxes

More than just your typical storage box, Chinese boxes of brass, wood, or porcelain were used since the Qing Dynasty to give gifts, store jewelry, and contain important documents and other personal items. Some boxes were made of hand-painted and glazed white porcelain, or of metal that featured detailed engravings, but boxes were most commonly made of wood.

Wood boxes can be found coated in lacquer, even inlaid with precious stones, other types of wood, or mother of pearl to give extra emphasis to the flamboyant designs on the surface of the box. Metal hinges and clasps are commonly added to attach a lid to the box, and sometimes brass is added to the edges as an extra decorative detail. Boxes can also be made of silver, jade, ivory, or copper.

Chinese boxes come in all different shapes as well. While many are in the traditional rectangular shape, some are given circular, hexagonal shapes, or even octagonal shapes. All are purposefully ornamented to give the exterior an elegant appearance.


Quick Facts

  • Brass and copper boxes are great for storing cigars. These metal boxes are typically decorated in the French cloisonne style using enamel as a paste, and inlaying precious stones or colored glass
  • Lacquer is applied to these boxes in many layers. A box needs at least 30 coats. Some boxes have been coated with up to 300 layers of lacquer before completion, and each layer needs to be dried between coats
  • Lacquer is made from the sap of the Rhus Vernicifera tree, which is a close relative to poison ivy. This sap is highly toxic

Recommended Items at Auction

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A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $8,000- $12,000
$8000 Bids
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A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$5000 Bids
bp parity badge
A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $8,000- $12,000
$8000 Bids
bp parity badge
A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$5000 Bids
bp parity badge
A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $8,000- $12,000
$8000 Bids
bp parity badge
A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$5000 Bids
bp parity badge
A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $8,000- $12,000
$8000 Bids
bp parity badge
A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
Aug 26, 10:00 AM EDT
A flower and figure carved lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$5000 Bids
bp parity badge
A figure carved red lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China,Qing Dynasty,China
Mar 04, 10:00 AM EST
A figure carved red lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$2000 Bids
bp parity badge
A figure carved red lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China,Qing Dynasty,China
Mar 04, 10:00 AM EST
A figure carved red lacquer box,Qing Dynasty,China,Qing Dynasty,China
by Eldred's
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$2000 Bids
A SMALL FAMILLE-ROSE CIRCULAR COVERED BOX AND LINER Iron-red wu zi deng ke (五子登科) mark to liner, first half 19th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
A SMALL FAMILLE-ROSE CIRCULAR COVERED BOX AND LINER Iron-red wu zi deng ke (五子登科) mark to liner, first half 19th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $400- $600
$4000 Bids
A SMALL BLUE AND WHITE SOFT PASTE 'XIXIANG JI' SEAL PASTE BOX AND COVER 18th century
Mar 10, 11:00 AM EDT
A SMALL BLUE AND WHITE SOFT PASTE 'XIXIANG JI' SEAL PASTE BOX AND COVER 18th century
by Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers
Est: $800- $1,200
$8000 Bids
CHINESE WHITE JADE COVER BOX
Nov 01, 1:00 AM EDT
CHINESE WHITE JADE COVER BOX
by DP Test House
Est: £2,600- £3,600
£1,0000 Bids
CHINESE PEWTER COVER BOX W. 8 IMMORTALS MOTIF
Nov 01, 1:00 AM EDT
CHINESE PEWTER COVER BOX W. 8 IMMORTALS MOTIF
by DP Test House
Est: £550- £750
£2500 Bids
Five Chinese Jade and Cloisonné Enamel Objets d'Art, 19th-20th Century
Nov 25, 6:00 PM EST
Five Chinese Jade and Cloisonné Enamel Objets d'Art, 19th-20th Century
by DP Weschler's
Est: £800- £1,200
£4000 Bids
Five Chinese Jade and Cloisonné Enamel Objets d'Art, 19th-20th Century
Nov 28, 8:00 PM EST
Five Chinese Jade and Cloisonné Enamel Objets d'Art, 19th-20th Century
by DP Weschler's
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Boxes


Eldred's

Eldred's

Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers

Figlio Designs Auctioneers and Appraisers