An unusual turquoise ground Dayazhai box and cover Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period

the domed cover finely painted in iron-red enamel with a mythical lion enclosed within keyfret borders, the rim bordered by linked ruyi heads, the foot of the box skirted by upright leaves, the cover inscribed with three characters dayazhai, and tian di jia chun within a seal, the base with yong qing chang chun

The three marks were used on pieces made for the Empress Dowager Cixi (1861-1908).  The first mark, dayazhai is ¡¥Studio of Great Elegance¡¦. The second, tian di jia chun is ¡¥ Spring  throughout heaven and earth ¡V one family¡¦. The third, yong qing chang chun is ¡¥Eternal joy and everlasting spring¡¦.