Box - Bronze - Chinese Enamel Box

Chinese Painted Enamel on Copper Box – Four-Character Qianlong Mark.
A finely decorated Chinese painted enamel on copper box and cover, measuring approximately 10 × 8,5 × 4 cm.
The rectangular box stands on four individually made metal feet and is fitted with a traditional multi-part copper hinge. The exterior is hand-painted with colourful floral decoration and figural scenes in the Canton/Guangzhou enamel tradition.
The base bears a hand-painted iron-red four-character mark:
乾隆年製 – Qianlong Nianzhi
“Made during the Qianlong reign”
The white enamel on the base and interior shows numerous small dark inclusions, pinholes and firing irregularities consistent with traditional enamel production. The copper mounts, hinge and feet show natural oxidation and age-related wear, also the feets are made by hand and each are different, that could explain why det box tip a little when standing on a table.
The construction is relatively light, with thin enamelled copper panels, hand-finished metal borders and individually attached feet.

Condition: Overall good antique condition. Age-related wear, small firing imperfections and surface irregularities are present. There is a small enamel chip to the edge of the lid, visible in the photographs(picture 5). The box does not stand completely level and rocks slightly on its four feet. No attempt has been made to restore or retouch these imperfections. When lidt is open one can slightly see shadows through the lid of the painted front side.
The exact dating of the box has not been independently established. It is therefore offered conservatively as an antique Chinese painted enamel box bearing a four-character Qianlong mark, without guaranteeing that it was manufactured during the Qianlong reign (1736–1795). My estimate around 1860-1880 or maybe later. NO RESERVE PRICE. Bid start at 1 Euro.