Stacking Boxes, anonymous, c. 1800 - before 1815
Ivory, h 52cm More details
This pair of stacking boxes is exceedingly finely incised with figures in a detailed landscape. The boxes’ almost transparent carving indicates that they did not serve a utilitarian, but rather a decorative purpose. Due to global trade, Canton became the most important centre for processing and selling ivory. This type of openwork ivory ranks among the most costly souvenirs one could buy in Canton.
