quail (or partridge lidded box/figurine,Chinese Qing dynasty
quail (or partridge) lidded box/figurine, a classic form in Chinese decorative arts, particularly from the Qing dynasty I did have a pretty tattered paper with this in the box however the paper has been misplaced somehow unfortunately but prior to this I do remember as hard as it was to make out the words qi then missing or hard to see letters followed by dyna which I assumed to he dynasty and then figured maybe first word was Qing the rest of the small paper was completely illegible and very frail do to age of paper
Length (beak to tail): ~5.5 to 6 inches Width/Depth (widest body): ~3 to 4 inches Height (including the base/feet area when closed): ~2.5 opened to 3.5 inches when closed
Inherited
Yes
Hello, this item is a Chinese quail or partridge-form lidded box or covered container inspired by Qing dynasty export and scholar-object traditions, though the present example appears to be a later carving rather than an authentic Qing dynasty object. The piece is carved in the form of a resting bird with overlapping feather motifs, a removable upper section forming the lid, and detailed sculptural treatment around the head and plumage. Objects of this type were produced in several materials throughout the late Qing and Republican periods, including ivory, bone, soapstone, and occasionally molded composite materials intended for the export and decorative arts market. Based on the photographs, the material appears more consistent with carved bovine bone, resin composite, or an ivory substitute rather than true elephant ivory. The coloration, surface uniformity, interior carving structure, and feather repetition suggest a 20th century decorative carving rather than a hand-worked Qing imperial or scholar’s object. The form itself loosely references traditional Chinese quail imagery, which symbolized peace, courage, and scholarly refinement in Chinese decorative arts. The lid construction and hollow interior indicate it functioned as a small decorative container, trinket box, or table object rather than a ritual item.
Condition appears generally stable overall, though there is visible separation between lid and lower section, surface wear, discoloration, and possible age-related shrinkage or minor losses around delicate extremities. The absence of documented provenance, maker marks, or verifiable period paperwork limits attribution to the Qing dynasty despite the family note referencing that era. Comparable decorative bird-form carvings of bone, faux ivory, or composite material from the mid to late 20th century generally sell within the decorative Asian art market rather than the high-end Chinese antiquities field. Based on the photographs provided, the fair market value is approximately $150 to $400 USD depending on material confirmation and local market demand.
