Posted 13 years ago
jiggerbaum…
(1 item)
Purchased at auction -the symbols had caught my eye and I HAD to have it - I compared the carvings to my Mah Jhong deck and sure enough the symbols matched -the 2 symbols on the top of the box are the symbols for the Green and the Red dragon (center) 2 of the 3 blessings -the symbol for the third blesing is found on the rear of the box
Very well made wood lined box made in China-Also has symbols relating to the four directions on the corrosponding sides -except east and west are reversed. With the Mah Jhong cards when used as an oracle or for fortune telling the east and west positions are reversed-a mirror image of the heavens-so that detail helped to discern that this was most likely a very early box for MahJhong. I believe it may be from the Qing Dynasty (1677-1911) but am having a very hard time authenticating this. Very nice piece-very well made-solid carved brass exterior-hinged lid roughly 8"L x 6"W x 3 1/4" D stamped CHINA on the bottom-a remenant of a sticker is present in the bottom of the box -no words present -it is a rectangular white or ivory colored label with a red border-similar in shape to a Mah Jhong tile
If anyone has information regarding this box It would be greatly appreciated
Hi There, This could be part of the Tientsin China Brass works. If so, I would venture to say it is closer to the WWII era. I have a cigarrette box made much in the same manner. Dragons on top, some sort of a fish symbol, two chinese symbols similar to those on your box stamped on the top. Words Tientsin China in block letters stamped on the top, and China stamped on the bottom. It is brass with what looks to be cedar inside. No latch, but a lifter lip on top lid. I have identified it to be around 1940. Hope this helps. hd