Antique Chinese Silver Opium Box – Imperial Dragon, Fu Character, Scholar’s Motifs

Elegant late Qing Dynasty Chinese silver opium container, finely crafted in high-relief repoussé technique. This small yet richly symbolic box features a sophisticated combination of auspicious and scholarly motifs:

Top: Decorated with the prominent Chinese character “福” (Fu), symbolizing blessings, good fortune, and happiness, flanked by a delicately rendered lotus blossom, representing purity and spiritual enlightenment.

Front Panel: A detailed scholar’s still life scene, including vases, books, and floral arrangements, alluding to literary refinement, intellectual cultivation, and the ideals of the literati class.

Back Panel: Dominated by an imperial five-clawed dragon, surrounded by cloud scrolls and framed within a medallion of auspicious patterns. The accompanying inscription, “九子龙生” (Jiu Zi Long Sheng) – “Nine Sons of the Dragon” – references the mythological offspring of the dragon, each believed to embody unique protective attributes in Chinese folklore.

The lid border is adorned with gourd vines and blossoms, traditional symbols of longevity, fertility, and protection.Dating to the late 19th, this opium box blends artistic excellence with rich cultural meaning. It would make a striking addition to any collection of Chinese silver, opium antiques, or scholar’s objects.Dimensions: Width 4.7 cm × Height 5 cm
Condition: Excellent antique condition with smooth lid function and original patina.


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