Antique Chinese Silver Plated Metal Box, Circa 1900.

Lovely antique Chinese box made of silver plated metal in the early 20th century (circa 1900). This is a delicate and highly decorative piece which is in good condition though showing the logical signs of the trace of time. The hinges that connect the lid and the box are well preserved, surprisingly enough if we consider their fragility and old age. The metal box is plated with a silvery finish, both inside and out. Outside this finish is somewhat worn and lets us see the copper tone of the surface. Nevertheless, this only embellishes the object and provides it with an antique and charming look.The boxs lid bears a beautiful and typically Chinese decoration, with two big embossed ideograms and an impressive imperial dragon squirming between them. The beast shows its open jaws in a fierce expression, and is grabbing the ideograms with its claws as if it were holding to them. The dragons body is covered with scales and in some places seaweeds have got wound around it. The background is decorated with a fine pattern of tiny dots which cover the whole surface. The dragon is a mythological beast very important in Chinese culture and has several meanings: it controls rains and rivers, symbolizes the male principle (the ying, as opposed to female yang), the emperor and the Chinese nation as a part of Asia.The sides of the box are also decorated with vegetal-inspired embossed motives. All of them are embellished with a series of flowers and plants that grow on the ground. The flowers are lilies and the leaves that accompany them are lily leaves. These motives are disposed in a continuous pattern al around the box, as if they were part of a flowery field growing on the base of the box. The plants are engraved and modeled in detail and they make up a nice decoration that complements with its delicacy the dramatic quality of the dragon of the lid.This fine metal box can be the perfect accessory for a dressing table or a shelf. Thanks to its ancient age and exoticism it will surely stand out in the best display of decorative pieces.Measurements: Width: 118 mm. Height: 110 mm (lid open).