A HIGHLY UNUSUAL PARCEL-GILT SILVER INLAID LACQUERED BRONZE THREE-TIERED BOX AND COVER LATE MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

of square section with straight sides, the three tiers similar in size, the lower most supported by four short square-sectioned feet, decorated to the exterior with detached flower and fruit sprays on a wan diaper ground, all inlaid and highlighted in gilt, the cover similarly decorated with a keyfret band at the rim, the interior and undersides gilt lacquered

Compare a similar silver inlaid bronze square seal paste box and cover, also decorated with a wan-diaper ground and highlighted in gilt, illustrated in Inaugural Exhibition, Volume 2: Chinese Metalwares and Decorative Arts, The Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, England, 1993, cat.no. 286.