A Chinese hardstone and mother-of-pearl embellished hardwood seal chest (guanpixiang), late Qing dynasty, possibly huanghuali, of traditional rectangular form, the top, sides and front doors decorated with hardstone, bone and mother-of-pearl scenes of figures, birds, insects, trees, rocks and flowers, the hinged lid revealing a hinged mirror and compartment to interior, the front with circular brass lock plate and hinge mounts, the sides with brass drop handles, the interior fitted with an arrangement of seven drawers, each front similarly inset with blossoming branches, on a similarly decorated plinth base, height 39cm, width 40cm, depth 26.5cm (some losses). Note: boxes such as this example were typically made for use on a scholar's desk; however, they were also employed by women to contain their cosmetics for dressing purposes.