Chinese Silver Metal Box, S. XX.

Chinese silvery metal box, shiny and polished as the first day. This box dates from the 20th century and is fully decorated with embossed and engraved motives, both the sides and the lid. This decoration has been made by hand with high detail and skill, and depicts classic oriental motives: an imperial dragon and the sea waves. The boxs lid can be removed as years ago the articulated joint between the box and the lid was cut so the piece was easier to use. The item is in real good condition and is a highly decorative piece.On the boxs lid we can see a motive in high relief which depicts, as stated before, a beautiful imperial dragon. This mythological animal is twisting among the waves of a fiery sea, in a classical image of traditional Chinese art. The waves appear again engraved in the boxs sides, though their relief is lower than on the lid. The dragon is greatly performed, with high detail and precision, and is a dynamic and wonderful motive. The boxs bottom is also covered by polished and shiny silvery metal with no decoration whatsoever.The inside of the box reveals the wood it is made of: clean wood with no finish at all, with no remarkable flaws or cracks. The longer sides have a series of grooves which were probably meant to house planks intended to compartment the box. Anyway, the most beautiful feature of this box is its silvery outside, as shiny and good-looking as the first day and whose beautiful embossed decoration turns this box into a first-class decorative piece which will delight any lover of traditional Chinese articles.Measurements: Width: 185 mm. Height: 60 mm.