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I recently acquired this small (c.8 x 12 cm) lidded box, bearing a 'Kitchen Qing' type Sweet Pea Scroll pattern.

I'd be grateful if anyone were able to help me with the following queries :

i) Is it possible to narrow down an approximate period of manufacture ? My research on the internet yielded about five or so similar pieces, all dating between late Qing and late Republic period.

ii) Does anyone know the intended purpose of such boxes ? Trinket boxes and ink boxes seem to be the internet favourites.

Thanking you in advance for any help whatsoever !!

My feeling is this box is a later product. Perhaps 80's.
Mark@imperial

Many thanks for your help, Mark.

These boxes were originally made to hold seal ink, traces of which remain on your example.
Most will date to the second or third quarters of the 19th century, and many were adapted to hold ashes of the deceased, whose life history was recorded by incised (dotted) inscriptions on the inner box and cover.
Occasionally one finds inscriptions dated to the 4th quarter (Guangxu)

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