Featured Little Chinese late Qing wooden box

As I promised I would find something interesting in where I live and share it with you, I present this little carved box!

It was sold to me as late Qing dynasty but I guess these folk art pieces are hard to date. What’s interesting is that it’s made by hollowing a whole brick of wood.

The interior is covered with powder when I received it. Probably make up powder because it doesn’t smell. Now I need to find something to fill it again…

I’m not quoting Raver today as I fear this box is too ‘minimalistic’ for his taste but if you see this your comments are always welcome!

Btw the lid can be fully closed, but it’s super tight so I prefer keeping it this way

 

It is a sweetie, shammie.

Very nice, true folk art.

 

These folk art carvings are beyond cheap here…just imaging how many wooden panels and objects you can find in an old house, and how many old houses we have here… hence many beautiful and inexpensive!

 

Yes, I remember when I was in Hongkong in the 70s, the old carved panels were much cheaper than the new ones.

I have some antique carved panels from Indonesia - Javanese, Madurese and Peranakan (Straits Chinese). Three are above my bed, one tall one on the stair landing, one above the door to my study, and a few are still waiting for a good spot.

 

Those door and window panels- particularly those openwork- really make good home decor!

 

Yes, they do. Nearly all of mine are openwork.

 

Meanwhile, anything I've ever seen here in that line is Pier One or World Market in origin, i.e. mass-produced.

 

I’ve heard stories about someone finding a gorgeous Chinese carved panel for something like 5 dollars… so keep hunting and good luck

 

You never can tell. I was in a house today where one might have turned up, but...nope. A piece of a hand-painted Korean screen turned up on the USA Antiques Roadshow years ago. It was 14th century or something crazy, and valued for thousands. A few years later, the family whose father brought it back from military service, sold it at auction. The price went crazy and it went back home.

The stuff is out there. The screen was old and the lady had thought about just tossing it.

 

Or maybe send it to charity shops so left for others to treasure hunt

 

As long as I'm first in line!