A circular food box made of bamboo and wood, standing on a high foot, with a lid and right-angled handle above. The interior, base and handle are covered in red lacquer, while the exterior is covered in orange lacquer, probably a mixture of red lacquer with gold powder. The exterior is also painted with dense decoration in black paint. The lid is decorated with two butterflies and a fan among floral motifs, encircled by a band of curl-work on the top surface, followed by another band of curl-work on a sloping shoulder, and a band of floral motifs on the side of the lid. The body is decorated with a butterfly and a fan among floral motifs within a panel. The same design is found within the panel on the other side, but this also features a gourd and stylised rhinoceros horn. The foot is decorated with a band of curl-work.
Label: Old grey exhibition label printed with black text.
Used for carrying food generally or at a Chinese wedding by the groom's family to bring food and other auspicious items to the bride's family a few days before the wedding.
