Chinese Powder Container

Formal and shy, a dark eight-sided jar wears a pale round knob.

This powder container is from China. Chinese incense practice uses powdered aromatics burned in a censer, and small boxes were made to hold the powder and keep it dry. Faceted and squat in deep blackish brown, the body carries on each side a pressed panel of scrolling floral and mask-like designs. The lid has a smooth top and a small pale round finial. It is 2.25 inches high and 2.75 in diameter.

Well-dressed and tightly sealed for any social occasion.