There is real joy in opening this Floral Corners Butterfly Clasp Doves jewelry box each morning. The object has real staying power. There is a quiet pride in its craftsmanship. It carries the marks of the maker's hand with grace.
Layers of lacquer were polished smooth before the shell work was set in. The red lacquer box is executed with real restraint. Look closely and the fine detailing reveals the patience of hand-laid inlay. There is a jewel-like quality to the balanced composition up close. The inlay work follows a folk tradition of turning everyday objects into small treasures.
It brings to Chinese collector decor a calm that electronics and clutter cannot. As a piece of Chinese collector decor, it suits both first apartments and settled homes. In the end, a Floral Corners Butterfly Clasp Doves jewelry box like this is chosen once and enjoyed for years. It is decor with substance, not just surface.