Small paktong opium box engraved with poems on both sides and a two-character inscription on the lid. We have not been able to decipher the inscription on the lid. 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. The inside is lined with copper which is normal for an opium box. The box dates from the end of the Qing period (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Height 3.4 cm. Width 2.9 cm. Depth 1.5 cm.