Chinese Nine-Section Sweetmeat Set in Rosewood Box 19th C

A colorful set of Chinese pink and white porcelains that fit a wooden presentation box with a glass lid.

 

The porcelain is very white and has scenes of buildings, boats, trees, and mountains painted in an underglaze pink enamel. The top edges of the dishes have gilding, and the bases are unglazed.  

 

The porcelains in different shapes fit the wooden box and form a pattern like a puzzle. The wooden presentation box has a middle frame with wood joinery on the corners. This fits the base exactly. The box has a wood frame with a glass pane for a lid.

 

The word CHINA has been painted in white on the box base. There is also a portion of an old export paper label. The middle square porcelain dish has the word CHINA painted in white on the base.

 

 

11 1/8” (28.3 cm) x 11 1/8” (28.3 cm) x 3 ¼” (8.3 cm) tall. Weighs 5 lbs 5.2 oz (2415 g)

 

 

The wood box has some finish losses on the base and inside where the dishes lay. Two dishes have small rim chips and one has a glaze frit. Otherwise, the dishes have no breaks, cracks, repairs or other chips. There is slight wear to the gilding wear. The box has a nice, aged look and the dishes look like they were rarely used.

 

A great colorful set of dishes that could be still be used today to add an artistic element to decorate the table.