Small opium box decorated with a poem on both sides and the words ‘Zi Zai’ (at leisure) on the lid. It is made of Paktong, also called Baitong or Nickel Silver. Paktong (白銅) literally means ‘White copper’ and was used to imitate sterling silver. In fact it contains about 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc and no silver at all. It was first known in China during the Qing period (1644 – 1912) before it became fashionable in the West. Opium boxes were used to store opium for a smoke along the way. This opium box dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Height 2.5 cm. Width 2.6 cm. Depth 1.8 cm.