SUPERB C1840 CHINESE CARVED GENUINE SHELL CARD CASE N/R

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for your consideration we have a superbly worked 19c Chinese deeply carved genuine spotted shell calling card case of a large size. This card case was produced in Canton, China during the height of the 'Old China Trade' around c1840 for export to the West. Most of the best carvers in Canton during this time worked in wood, and a natural off white material as well as this more expensive natural animals shell. The workmanship on this case is about as good as it gets considering the difficulty in carving and maintaining good defined edges. The artist who carved this case was very talented in his carving technique working in high relief using the back and underneath carving methods. T are numerous figures amoungst garden and outside pavillion settings incorporating railings, flowers, tables, garden seats, stairways as well as prunus, willow and dogwood trees. T are also bridges, a boat and pagodas including a variety of Chinese architecture. Holding the case up to the light one can see the shell patterns ecspecially in the thinner hollowed out tongue area. Condition is pristine with only the expected small age crack lines around the bottom flat area at the corners of the inside top lid which are going no further. Size is 4-3/8" High x 2-3/4" Wide x 5/8" thick. These Cantonese card cases in this material are now seldom found as well as read more

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