3. 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 and made in the 18th C. Each layer is arranged with compartments for collectables including:  a 3-lens magnifying glass with an ivory handle and a tortoise shell telescopic eyeglass. This box is made out of carved and gilded lacquer and is about 8cm x 16cm x 26cm. Lacquer ware was a Chinese speciality and being very time consuming to manufacture when artistically finished was highly valued both within China and with those trading and interacting with China. Steppe nomad chieftains valued highly decorated lacquer saddles.