ITEM# 5341
Antique Annamese jewelry box with inlay

Antique Annamese covered jewelry or glove box with inlay. This Annamese jewelry box with inlaid mother of pearl dates from c1890. This rare inlaid box measures 12 and one quarter inches wide by 7 inches deep and 2 and one quarter inches high.The quality of the inlay work is as good as it gets obviously done by a master. There are flowers,birds,scrolls,butterflies,grasses along with Civets inlaid all over the top and sides. Excellent original condition. There is a wonderful contrast in the way the mother of pearl was set to give a lovely three dimensional effect.For many years such rosewood boxes were labeled Chinese, mostly because they carry Buddhist/Taoist/Confucious motifs. Nobody has been able to duplicate the refined, precise cutting of shell, then placed into an artistic space by Annamese artists of the late 19thC/early 20thC. Or duplicate the exact reflective rainbow coloring of shells used by the Annamese. The purpose of the boxes were quite similar to Chinese stuff--gifts for wedding, food offerings, etc. Japanese MOP has a slick quality about it, not found on the mainland of SE Asia. Annamese is a region and former kingdom of central Vietnam on the South China Sea between Tonkin and Cochin China. It was ruled by China from 111 B.C. until A.D. 939 and came under French control in the 19th century. It is hard to photograph the intense change in color the mother of pearl in this antique box has. This beautiful box would make the perfect gift.

Thank you for your quick reply. I am really shocked at the price. I knew many people here wanted it, but probably figured I didn't know what I had and they wanted to buy it for nothing. I am glad I held on to it.
Thanks again!
- Ann N