Antique Chinese Leather-Covered Wooden Document Box With Brass Hardware, Circa 1900

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Description

Wonderful antique Chinese leather-covered wooden box or document casket, believed to date to the late Qing to early Republic period, … Read more Wonderful antique Chinese leather-covered wooden box or document casket, believed to date to the late Qing to early Republic period, circa 1890–1930.

Constructed around a rigid wooden form and completely covered in rich reddish-brown leather, the box features a distinctive gently curved saddle-form lid with hand-tooled scrolling decoration along the edges. Traditional brass hardware includes a large circular front clasp and ring-style carrying handles mounted at each end.

The interior retains its wonderfully aged red and cream floral textile lining, showing the hand-fitted construction and considerable age of the piece. Faded Chinese characters and markings remain visible on the exterior beneath and around the front hardware.

An especially interesting piece with documented provenance: the original owner’s inventory records this box as having been purchased in China circa 1997 for 50 RMB. It subsequently remained in the owner’s collection in the United States until recently acquired from the estate.

The box remains structurally intact and displays substantial authentic surface character appropriate to its age, including wear, scuffs, finish variation, oxidation to the brass, losses and rubbing to the leather surface, and aging to the interior textile. It has not been restored or refinished, preserving the character accumulated over many decades.

A beautiful decorative object on its own and an excellent addition to a collection of Chinese antiques, Asian decorative arts, antique boxes, leatherwork, or scholar’s objects.

Approximate dimensions:
10” W × 6” D × 5.5” H

Dating is based upon construction, materials, hardware, form and visible age characteristics. Exact maker and date are unknown. See less