Page 700 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

The circa 1890 silver matchbox sleeve is equally as dramatic. Chinese silversmiths had a particular affinity to
matchbox sleeves with almost every retail silversmith offering them in their repertoire. In the context of the era
though, with smoking probably at its peak and in the situation of WeiHaiwwei where it was a port town,
customising the humble matchbox would have been as natural as a cigarette case - and a memento to take
home. This sleeve is quite interesting though since the repoussé border is not particularly traditional Chinese,
although the dragon obviously is.

A pill or snuff box in two guises - above it is seen
with its original enamel border, while on the left
the same box missing its enamel.