Among Chinese porcelain boxes, there are some very unusual examples. Inside, under the lid, you can sometimes find a whole story, presented in the form of small figurines. One of these items was made during the Kangxi era (1661-1722), during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty. The box is made in the san cai technique (literally translated as "three colors"): the surface is decorated with images of green, yellow and pale purple flowers.
The lid of the box slides out horizontally - a similar design was typical for boxes with writing utensils. Inside there are two sections with two scenes. The upper composition is more saturated with details: there is a bed with a lying person against the wall, the room is furnished with household items. The composition below includes three characters, elements indicating the place of action are missing. Judging by the gestures of the characters, the artist tried to show a dramatic event.
It is believed that this is a frozen scene from the Chinese play Romance of the Western Chamber. The play centers on a young scholar Zhang Sheng and his secret lover Cui Yingying, the minister's daughter. Despite all the difficulties, the heroes eventually get married, and the play ends on a happy note. The third character standing next to the lovers is probably the servant Hongniang, who helped them reunite. The play was popular, reprinted and staged many times. It is not surprising that it could inspire the master to create such an interesting decorative work. Understanding the context allows you to "read" the box as a kind of puzzle text, opening it gradually, from top to bottom.
Source:
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