Chinese Jewelry Box in Carved Wood with Costumbrist Scenes, XIX Century. Restored.

This beautiful and antique Chinese jewel case is made of solid carved wood and was manufactured to be exported. It is an article from the 19th century and is in very good condition. The jewel case has been perfectly restored and shows a shiny and polished finish, as well as an attractive reddish color. It has a rectangular shape and preserves the original hinges, lock and metal parts. Into the box there is a removable tray which rests on two metal fittings; the tray is designed to keep the contents in order, and it is made of light wood with two metal handles (one in each side); it is covered with red velvet. The inside of the case and the cover is also lined with the same luxurious fabric. It is the original lining and, given the age of the item, is in quite good condition. Each side of the box is profusely hand-carved. The carvings represent traditional Eastern scenes, where we can see the daily lives of numerous small figures which walk around leafy forests with typical Chinese pagoda-shaped buildings scattered among the trees. The high detail of the carving is quite remarkable, and we can see every kind of features and objects: the facial expressions, the leaves of the plants and the trees, the clothes, the roofs, the columns There is a carved scene in each side of the box, each one surrounded by a rectangular stair-shaped frame also carved in the wood. The carving in the cover is especially beautiful, and shows a complex and intricate high relief in which we can see a lot of figures carrying out different activities in a village. The small characters are scattered all around, in different buildings and pagodas, which are surrounded by leafy and exotic vegetation. At the top of the scene the trees display their leaves and flowers, and among them we can see some figures carrying boxes and things. Overall, this small and delicate jewel case is a real luxury item, a beautiful antique worthy of the most prestigious collection. Measurements: 185 mm width x 140 mm height.