Ivory eleven-piece set of nested miniature boxes in openwrok relief, by Huang Zhenxiao, 1739 C.E.

Ivory eleven-piece set of nested miniature boxes in openwrok relief, by Huang Zhenxiao, 1739 C.E.

• Image Number: K1G000127N000000000PAC
• Dynasty: Qing dynasty
• Category: Carvings
• Function: Containers, stationery and games
• Material: Animal/Tooth/Ivory
• Description:
  A small rectangular ivory box with a corner is carved with living patterns on the wall. The box cover and the box body are connected by a long chain. A small ring is strung in the middle to connect several ivory chains. The end is decorated with a small drop angle of a gourd. It is one of the rectangular ivory boxes. There are eleven ivory boxes in the whole kit. Ten small boxes of different sizes and shapes need to be put into the largest box. Ten small boxes or fruit trays, or animals, melons and fruits, or just chains connected with hollowed out gourd shaped small teeth ornaments and chime shaped small teeth ornaments; The cover and body of several small boxes are decorated with hollow patterns. The bottom of the largest box is engraved with black lettering: “Qianlong was not on the moon, and my minister Huang Zhenxiao made it respectfully.” It was completed in July of the fourth year of Qianlong’s reign. It was originally one of the cultural relics in the “Collection of Qiongzao”. Huang Zhenxiao’s small boxes with chains and lines (especially boxes) are unique skills of Guangdong dentists. They are really the acme of fine carving.