Chinese Carved Bone and Ink Trinket Box, Turtle Motif A hand carved Trinket or Pill Box made of bone and decorated with ink and stone inlay. Brass hardware hinged with a brass rope and butterfly design complete the design. Makes a wonderful gift or addition to your Chinoiserie collection. An exciting find as this is the first time we have encountered this motif!
Around the world the tortoise and/or turtle can be seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, and is able to defend itself on its own. It can be regarded as personifying water, the moon, the Earth, time, immortality, and fertility. Turtle symbolism and meanings also include longevity, perseverance, steadfastness, protection, retreat, healing, tranquility and transformation.
Shown on our Reticulated Engraved Silver Gallery Tray, Oval
DIMENSIONS: 2” L x 1.5" W x .5” H
ORIGIN: Made in China for export mid to late 20th century
MATERIALS: Bone, Tusk, likely Ox or Cow bone collected by farming communities
FACTS & HISTORY: Chinese have over 5,000 years of history, containing inestimable history and culture of all the arts. So craft arts have a long and rich tradition to be celebrated. In the 18th and 19th century there was high demand from the United States, crafts people used their ancient technics to create beautiful craft arts with jade, jewelry and silver bone carving and stone artifacts specifically for export. The pieces all rich is Chinese culture, shared symbols of happiness, luck and wealth. Making them beautiful, meaningful objects to collect and very lovely gifts to give! Each piece is rare and unique, an exquisitely beautiful treasure with incredible workmanship.
In the beginning of 21st century these pieces are experiencing a tremendous resurgence in popularity after a few decades of waning interest. This phenomena has been coined Grand millennial decor, because the millennials comb through their mother's and grandmother's cast offs and mix them with modern trends to create a new decor style. Many pieces have been eagerly purchased or collected by the next generation who see their value, appreciate their quality and craftsmanship. To young collectors what's old is new again and it's the ultimate recycling!
