Lot #88: Vintage Chinese brass-mounted wooden jewelry keepsake box, mid 20th century (Republic of China to early PRC periods).

Vintage Chinese brass-mounted wooden jewelry keepsake box, mid 20th century (Republic of China to early PRC periods). Woodwork & Exterior Hardware The Body: The box is constructed from a warm, medium-toned hardwood displaying a visible natural grain finish. It is styled with slightly flared corner bracket feet carved directly into the lower base rim. The Hardware: The exterior is heavily reinforced with traditional etched brass corner plaques and decorative brackets designed to protect the wood. The corners are shaped as stylized auspicious ruyi-clouds or bat profiles, meticulously etched with fine repeating fish-scale patterns and floral borders. The Latch: The front face features a massive, traditional Chinese cloud-shaped brass lock plate with a flip-down square hasp meant to receive a horizontal bar padlock. The Jade Medallion The absolute crowning feature is nestled directly on top of the lid: a central, bezel-set oval plaque of carved pale-green jade or bowenite serpentine stone. The jade plate is hand-carved in openwork (linglong) depicting a traditional botanical scene of scrolling lotus or peony blossoms representing purity and high status, flanked symmetrically by two pierced brass accent panels.Interior LiningOpening the box reveals a vivid crimson-red silk or rayon brocade fabric lining. The textile features a beautiful, shimmering monochromatic jacquard weave depicting traditional peonies (botan) and bamboo stalks (zhu). The left side features integrated padded rows designed specifically for sorting rings or cufflinks, beside a deeper open well for larger accessories. 箱体材质： 盒子由硬木打造，表面带有清晰、温润的红褐色天然木纹。底部四角雕刻成微撇的条形木足（须弥座式护角足），线条稳重。錾刻铜饰： 盒身四周包覆着极其精美的手绘錾刻黄铜包角。这些护角被做成传统的祥云纹或镂空如意纹造型，表面用极细的刻刀錾刻出了连续的鱼鳞纹、卷草纹和花卉围边，兼具加固与装饰功能。拍子锁面： 正面装有一块巨大的、经典的如意云头形黄铜锁扣面（拍子大锁），配有下翻的方孔插销，在历史上是用作穿挂中式横梁挂锁（密码锁或钥匙锁）的。顶面镶嵌玉璧盒子顶部正中央镶嵌着全件最核心的艺术构件：一块椭圆形的镂雕浅绿色青玉（或岫玉/南方玉）花片。玉片采用了精细的透雕（镂空）工艺，刻画了寓意纯洁与富贵的缠枝牡丹或**「荷花（莲花）纹」**，左右两侧各对称配有一枚精雕的黄铜镂空垫片。内部织锦内衬打开盒盖，内部满铺着一整套极其亮丽的正红色真丝（或人造丝）织锦缎内衬。面料采用了同色系提花（暗纹）工艺，织造出精美的大轮牡丹与挺拔的竹叶纹样。盒子内部进行了实用功能分区：左侧特意预留了用于插放戒指、耳环或袖扣的厚实软垫格，右侧则是一个深陷的大空腔，用于存放手镯、项链等大件首饰。 L: 7 inches / 18 cm Dimensions: L: 7 inches / 18 cm Pickup category timeslot {B}