{"id":8670259839126,"title":"18th century Chinese Export Silver Filigree and Enamel Box","handle":"18th-century-chinese-export-silver-gilt-filigree-and-enamel-casket","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e18th century Chinese Export Silver-Gilt Filigree and Enamel Box, made in Canton (Guangzhou), China, during the late Qing Dynasty.\u003cbr\u003eThe form, with its lobed quatrefoil outline, dense silver filigree scrollwork, gilded ground, and traces of blue and green enamel decoration, is characteristic of the luxury filigree objects produced by Canton silversmiths for both the Chinese elite and the European export market. Comparable examples are preserved in major collections and have appeared at Christie's, where related filigree boxes are attributed to Canton workshops of the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003eOf lobed quatrefoil form, the box and conforming stand entirely covered with exceptionally fine filigree decoration composed of tightly coiled silver wires arranged in geometric and floral patterns. The domed cover centred by a stylised floral rosette enclosed within radiating filigree panels, the surrounding field enriched with scrolling foliate ornament highlighted with translucent blue and green enamels. The sides are similarly decorated with floral cartouches and continuous scrollwork, demonstrating the remarkable precision and technical sophistication of Cantonese filigree production.\u003cbr\u003eChinese filigree silver represented one of the most admired luxury exports of the Qing period. European collectors, including royal patrons, developed a particular enthusiasm for the delicate lace-like workmanship produced by Canton workshops. The complexity of the wirework, combined with gilding and enamel decoration, reflects a tradition that blended Chinese decorative aesthetics with forms intended for international markets. Comparable filigree boxes formed part of the celebrated collection of Catherine the Great and are now preserved in the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. \u003cbr\u003eThe present example belongs to a rare group of highly decorative filigree boxes intended for jewellery, cosmetics, sewing implements, betel accessories, or precious personal possessions. The accompanying pierced stand further enhances its ceremonial and display function.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox:- Width: 10cm x 8cm, Height: 3.7cm\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight: 85 grams\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlate:- Width: 12.5cm x 10.2cm, Height: 1.5cm\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight: 29 grams\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal weight: 116 grams\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2026-06-25T13:19:31+01:00","created_at":"2026-06-25T13:19:30+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"Chinese Silver \u0026 Parcel-Gilt Bowl","tags":["Chinese Export Silver"],"price":450000,"price_min":450000,"price_max":450000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":46432403259542,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"JC-CHIN-07236","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"18th century Chinese Export Silver Filigree and Enamel Box","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":450000,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_2.jpg?v=1782389900","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_1.jpg?v=1782389899","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_3.jpg?v=1782389899","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_4.jpg?v=1782389899"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_2.jpg?v=1782389900","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":32789795274902,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1954,"width":1954,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_2.jpg?v=1782389900"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1954,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_2.jpg?v=1782389900","width":1954},{"alt":null,"id":32789795242134,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1500,"width":1500,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_1.jpg?v=1782389899"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1500,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_1.jpg?v=1782389899","width":1500},{"alt":null,"id":32789795307670,"position":3,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1500,"width":1500,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_3.jpg?v=1782389899"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1500,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_3.jpg?v=1782389899","width":1500},{"alt":null,"id":32789795340438,"position":4,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1500,"width":1500,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_4.jpg?v=1782389899"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1500,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/2306266_4.jpg?v=1782389899","width":1500}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e18th century Chinese Export Silver-Gilt Filigree and Enamel Box, made in Canton (Guangzhou), China, during the late Qing Dynasty.\u003cbr\u003eThe form, with its lobed quatrefoil outline, dense silver filigree scrollwork, gilded ground, and traces of blue and green enamel decoration, is characteristic of the luxury filigree objects produced by Canton silversmiths for both the Chinese elite and the European export market. Comparable examples are preserved in major collections and have appeared at Christie's, where related filigree boxes are attributed to Canton workshops of the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003eOf lobed quatrefoil form, the box and conforming stand entirely covered with exceptionally fine filigree decoration composed of tightly coiled silver wires arranged in geometric and floral patterns. The domed cover centred by a stylised floral rosette enclosed within radiating filigree panels, the surrounding field enriched with scrolling foliate ornament highlighted with translucent blue and green enamels. The sides are similarly decorated with floral cartouches and continuous scrollwork, demonstrating the remarkable precision and technical sophistication of Cantonese filigree production.\u003cbr\u003eChinese filigree silver represented one of the most admired luxury exports of the Qing period. European collectors, including royal patrons, developed a particular enthusiasm for the delicate lace-like workmanship produced by Canton workshops. The complexity of the wirework, combined with gilding and enamel decoration, reflects a tradition that blended Chinese decorative aesthetics with forms intended for international markets. Comparable filigree boxes formed part of the celebrated collection of Catherine the Great and are now preserved in the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. \u003cbr\u003eThe present example belongs to a rare group of highly decorative filigree boxes intended for jewellery, cosmetics, sewing implements, betel accessories, or precious personal possessions. The accompanying pierced stand further enhances its ceremonial and display function.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox:- Width: 10cm x 8cm, Height: 3.7cm\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight: 85 grams\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlate:- Width: 12.5cm x 10.2cm, Height: 1.5cm\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight: 29 grams\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal weight: 116 grams\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}