Pair of auspicious boxes

These cloisonné metal auspicious boxes were probably produced in the imperial factories.The objects are decorated on the sides with water lilies, plums, chrysanthemums and peons which sybolize the four seasons, interposed with golden bronze dragons. Internally the decorations consist of a green and purple medal surrounded by foliage on a torquoise background, while a natural landscape is depicted on the covers with a stream, a pair of deer, a peach tree and a flying crane. These decorative elements are auspicious symbols in Chinese culture: the deer represents logevity and the peach tree is sacred. For this reason this combination of subjects is often present on artworks for birthday gifts - even in the contemporary era.