Coconut snuffbox incised with inscriptions, China, 19th century This round snuffbox is made up of two convex parts joined by small bamboo tenons. Each side is incised with cursive calligraphy. One side is surrounded by an inscription in boustrophedon in the style of writing on archaic bronzes, known as "jinwén", a plausible global translation of which is: "On this day You, this precious ritual vase is destined to be preserved forever. Sun Jiang had it made for Bo Nian". (In classical Chinese: 酉用寶永其鬲尊孫姜作伯年). Coconut snuffboxes were often used as a literary medium, reflecting the interest of late Qing scholars and literati in the origins and evolution of Chinese writing. At the time, inscriptions - often known from engravings - were a major object of study, sometimes more sought-after than the bronzes or steles themselves. The snuffbox thus evokes, beyond its use, the intellectual dimension of scholarly research. Coconut stopper. H. 6 cm (small chip)