A Chinese refined reticulated tortoise-shell export basket with lid

 

Canton, late 18th/early 19th century

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Both the lid and the basket divided into six panels with openwork designs depicting figures in landscapes, on top of the lid a round knob with an openworked silver band.

L. 17.5 x W. 11.7 x H. 11.2 cm (including lid)

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For similar shaped and carved baskets in ivory see Uit Verre Streken, June 2019, no. 44 and 45. The same type of basket was also made in silver filigree, see, Uit Verre Streken, December 2013 and M. Menshikova, Silver wonders from the East, Filigree of the Tsars, the Hermitage Collection in Petersburg. Openwork baskets seem to have been a popular item of export art from Canton for foreigners visiting China.