The sides of the bowl in openwork with coiled dragons amidst scrolling lotus above and below bands with incised stippling, with two lug handles attached on either side, the lid similarly decorated with a circular medallion at center and hinged at one end with a clasp at the other, the base with a roundel with dragons
6³⁄₈ in. (16.2 cm.) across lid

Spink & Son, Ltd., London, 10 May 1983.
The James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection, Chicago.

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Lot Essay

Such sturdy iron boxes, usually with a felt or cloth liner, would have been used to safely store precious objects such as porcelain bowls or cups. The motif of the flying dragons on the lid, sides, and base signifies a prestigious provenance.