Antique 19th Century Chinese Lacquered Leather Hat Box Lid Vase

A cover from a Chinese "official's hat box" (guan mao xiang). The type of oval, leather-clad box traditionally used to store a mandarin's or scholar's ceremonial hat during travel.
Papier-mâché armature clad in leather, over which a red lacquer or lacquer-type paint ground has been applied and hand decorated. The rectangular aperture near the top is a structural/carrying cut-out, not a later break, its edges are neatly finished in gilt trim.

The face is painted with a bird (likely a long-tailed pheasant or magpie) perched on pierced rockwork beneath a flowering tree peony, with butterflies scattered above, a standard auspicious "bird-and-flower" (hua niao) pairing conveying good fortune and longevity.

Significant, honest wear throughout, consistent with age.

Please message for a shipping quote.