18th C. Gold Decorated Lacquer Writing Box
Writing was established in China by 1200 BCE. Composing poetry and prose was an essential part of a traditional Chinese education and the educated elite invested in elaborate equipment for writing. Inside this box is a set of writing tools, a chess set and trinkets for a desk. It was commissioned by a member of the Qing imperial family. Each layer is arranged with compartments for collectables including: a 3-lens magnifying glass with an ivory handle and a tortoise shell telescopic eyeglass.