A FINE AND RARE SILVER-MOUNTED POLYCHROME IVORY CADDY QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of rectangular form raised on four silver acanthus scroll feet, finely carved, applied with releifs and polychrome painted to the top of the cover with four figures and a dog in a landscape, the sides of the cover with long rectangular panels enclosing fruit sprays, birds and insects, the box similarly decorated to each side with flowers issuing from rockwork and with birds and insects perched and in flight above, the interior lined with blue silk   

Collection of Ionides.

Margaret Jourdain & R. Soame Jenyns, Chinese Export Art in the Eighteenth Century, London, 1951, p. 133, pl. 124.

R. Soame Jenyns & William Watson, Chinese Art: The Minor Arts II, London, 1965, pp. 164-5, pl. 100. 

The lid is slightly warped. Five of the narrow ivoy border panels on the lid with cracks (two visible in the illustration). Three of the side panels on the lid with cracks. There is a crack running across the length of the left side panel on the box (ca. 8.8cm). There is a crack running diagonally across the rear panel of the box (ca. 21.5cm). There is some loss of colour to the painted areas and some very minor chips to the raised part of the design. The box is in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A related box was included in the exhibition A Tale of Three Cities Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong, London, 1997, cat. no. 275.