Interesting opium box which is somewhat of a mystery to us. The material from which it is made turns brown after some time. The engraving is very unusual and also quite different from the average opium box of this particular category. The front shows a couple sitting together and the back shows another person. The lid has been engraved with a cauldron which is one of the ‘Hundred Treasures’ and also a pun for ‘Must’ (Ding). A garden drum and two baskets and cups complement the picture. The box has a hidden compartment which slides out from the bottom. This secret part has been engraved with sex scenes on both sides. We have not seen any comparable opium box yet. It most probably dates from the Republic Period (1912 – 1947) and was acquired in Shanghai in 1991. Height 4.9 cm. Width 5.2 cm. Depth 2.3 cm.