Calligraphy Box

QING PERIOD 1644 to 1911

AN EXQUISITE BLUE ON WHITE 珐琅彩 FALANGCAI ENAMEL ON COPPER BOX

The box of square form strikingly decorated with scrolling and stylised lotus flowers in cobalt blue all set against a white background.
The cover with slightly raised domed frame in the centre, surround by a copper border.
Four lines of calligraphy in black , two red seal marks all on a white background.
The interiors enamelled white.
The base with a Qianlong Period Seal Mark set against a white ground.
The whole sitting on four raised rounded feet

Formerly the property of a Japanese collector

Condition: excellent

Refer Large Images for details, quality and condition, they also form the description.
Depending on your computer monitor / phone / etc colour may vary to actual.

Dimensions are maximum measurements

Length About 10.2 cm.
Width About 10.2m.
Height About 5.7 cm
Weight About: 385 grams

A$5,500

In the old days in China it was not uncommon to see artists produce works of art in one form of material imitating another type of material.
Some examples being glass imitating stone, porcelain imitating stone, lacquer imitating glass etc

This seal box is an extremely rare example of Enamel imitating Pottery, as indicated by the translation of the calligraphy.

It is called " trompe l'oeil" . The meaning being :
"To trick or deceive the eye