A small Chinese turquoise and iron red-enamelled reticulated 'floral' incense box and cover

Qing dynasty, Qianlong period

The cover delicately enamelled with a dense floral scroll including chrysanthemums, Indian lotus, morning glory, peony, hibiscus, and finger citrons, centred around a reticulated cash medallion to the top, and turquoise-enamelled square reticulated medallions with cash motifs to the sides, the turquoise base with tall rims encircling a further reticulated cash medallion to the centre of the base, 6cm high.

清乾隆 松石綠地礬紅彩繪纏枝花卉圖紋鏤空四方薰爐

Known as 'the gentleman of flowers', lotus has long held a prominent position in Chinese art because of its association with Buddhism, where among other things, it symbolises purity because of the fact that it grows bright and pure out of muddy waters. Its names, he 荷and lian 蓮, are also homophones to the words harmony, he 和, ‘binding in marriage’聯 and love戀, as well as the word 'continuous' or 'successive', making it a perfect symbol for a harmonious union with many children.

Chrysanthemum, beautiful and colourful, represents autumn. As it blooms in autumn when all other flowers are fading away, it symbolises the ability to withstand adversity. It is tranquil and harmonious with others, but also dignified and indomitable.

Hibiscus (mufurong 木芙蓉) is another flower of autumn. Two of the characters that make up its name soun similar to the words for 'wealth' (fu 富) and 'glory' (rong 荣). Together with the peony, a flower of wealth and honour, it represents a greeting: 'May you have high position and great wealth' (ronghua fugue 榮華富貴).

Morning glory in Chinese culture tends to represent love and affection, and given as a symbol of longing, as well as symbolising marital bliss.

The finger citron, in Chinese foshou 佛手, or Buddha’s hand, is a homophone and visual pun to the phrase, good fortune/wealth and longevity, fu shou 福壽.