Case, Card

Object Name:

Case, Card

Object ID:

1942.001.14

Creator:

Ching, Lee

Place of Origin:

China

Description:

Case, card, Silver-colored alloy. Flat, rectangular in shape. Plain bottom edge. All other sides and edges decorated with leaf relief. Top edge, central medallion with three letters engraved in it: "M H J". Symmetrical floral leaves on the side. Edges all leaves and stems and possibly some fruit. One side, appears like bamboo stems and leaves, 3 good-size stems and multiple clusters of leaves. Opposite side, people and landscapes. On cover at top, looks like figure riding on 4-leg animal similar to a burro with saddle on it. Fanciful plant materials to left and right. In main portion, three Chinese figures wearing robes and some type of hat. One at left, facing right. Appears to be holding something up in his left hand. Central figure, who may be sitting at something with his right arm on piece of furniture. Facing slightly to right. On right side, figure in robes, facing to left. Almost like he's standing there, crouched over. Behind central figure, some type of unknown, simple, structure with slightly-curved roof. Above it and to left and right, fanciful plants and possibly trees. At very bottom, below figures, more plants. On inside, raised rectangular lip with scalloped design on top of it. Top of box slides over this. Friction fit between. Interior opening: 1.9" long, 0.28" wide, 3" deep. Cover: 0.9" deep. On bottom, rectangular stamp. Illegible.

Material:

Metal
Silver

Dimensions:

H-3.2 W-2.1 D-0.4 inches Weight-1.95 oz

Provenance:

According to donor's notebook, she bought it at a pawnbroker's in Portland, ME, in 1892.

Credit Line:

Gift of Margaret H. Jewell