. A two-part box, the cover with red and white pigments. The four protrusions to the cover act as feet when the cover is taken off the box and inverted. This is a large and impressive object with a length of 44.5 cm (17.5 inches), width & height 18 cm (7 inches). Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 220).
Although such boxes are rare and not widely documented, there is a reference on page 75 of the 1996 book "Chinese Ceramics, the New Standard Guide" by He Li where a very similar example is illustrated and described as a "covered box for food".
Provenance: from the collection of the late Brian Page (1938-2018), the well-known Oriental art and antiques dealer from Brighton.