A mid-18^th century Chinese export parcel gilt silver filigree casket, Canton circa 1750

Qing dynasty. Of shaped rectangular form with a reeded rim, opposable twin side handles as baluster sections. The lid with a central rosette and quatrefoil reserved with scrolls, the sides with alternating panels of diaper work, fish scale, and foliate forms in filigree. Sheet base and interior. An openwork keyhole to front. The interior of the lid with an applied and chased rosette. Gilt interior. Unmarked.

Length – 15.2 cm / 6 inches

Weight – 533 grams / 17.14 ozt

Chinese silver filigree of the Qianlong period has survived over a remarkable array of objects and sets. Several of these caskets of this form are known, including seven in the highly important set owned by Catherine The Great (1726-96), which was acquired in Tibet between 1740-50.

A near identical casket is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p.80-81, f.4.