Chinese Wood Rectangular Box

A latch plate and a cool, polished poise mark this dark box.

This rectangular wooden box is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. It is wood. Simple lidded boxes served households in China for storing documents, tea, seals and small valuables, and their plain forms often follow furniture proportions. Low and rectangular, the case is dark reddish brown with a streaked grain and straight, clean edges. A round, scalloped metal plate sits on the front for the clasp, and the lid fits flush. It is 11.75 inches wide, 7 deep and 3.75 high.

Plain on the outside, and in no hurry to explain.