Chinese
Opium Box, 19th century
Silver and enamel, 3.6 x 2.7 cm (1 7/16 x 1 1/16 in.)
This round opium box with lid is white enamel on silver with royal blue and emerald green decoration and Chinese characters. There are blue Chinese characters that circle the front of the white exterior of the box. The top and bottom edges of the box are decorated in blue and green geometric designs banded by silver that is now tarnished. The blue lid is also encircled with tarnished silver and has an ornate metal handle with a turquoise gem. A thick green braided silk cord is threaded through the handle, that ends in knotted tassels and connects to a triple gold silk cord that leads to an elaborate knot. The cord continues on as a double cord with small metal beads highlighted by a cylindrical jade bead in the middle. The cord tapers off to a loop.
Short Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.