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The porcelain object is very small, about 6 cm in diameter and 2 cm in height. Small piece of paper with hieroglyphs 和畅 glued to the object. On the paper under the object and on the one glued on it are small red stamps. Carefully framed with passepartout in wooden box under the glass. Reminds me some sort of cover for the jar. Would like to know the purpose of this thing an its age and value if it's possible.

This item probably is a covered box containing red ink paste for use with name and other seals on official papers and artists scrolls. It probably dates to the late 20th century, as evidenced by the second character of its probable manufacturer's name tag of "He Chang" (和畅) being the simplified version of "暢", literally "smooth and carefree". The single-character tag says "Gui" ()貴, meaning "precious".

The use of simplified characters was implemented by the PRC after 1949.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Yes this is it! Thank you for the help! I still can't understand why is this so beautifully framed. I am intrigued with tag "Gui" (貴) at the back of framing. Could it be that the ceramic ink box is older than its packaging with tag? Also I can't see bottom part of the ink box, so I think that it is only cover.

I can't see anything to suggest it is old, although it may be that the base got broken and the owner decided to salvage the lid. Modern ink paste boxes are widely available in tourist gift shops in Taiwan, Hong Kong and communities with large ethnic Chinese populations in Southeast Asia.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you a lot for your competent opinion).

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