ANTIQUE MEDICINE BOX FOR DOCTOR WITH NICE CARVED DROP FRONT – CHINA – QING DYNASTY (1644-1912)

This doctor's medicine box originates from China.

This wooden doctor's box consists of a carved drop front, which serves to open the box by basculating it down on its bottom. Once opened, two drawers and a fixed part appear, which serve to store herbs, medicines or equipment. Two dragon's heads are placed on the top of the box, turned inwards so that they touch each other and form a handle. There is a fish figure in front of the handle.

The front panel depicts the very appropriate image for a physician namely Shouxing (also called Shou Lao, Shou Hsing, and Nan Ji Xian Weng), the god of long life. He is riding a spotted deer and holding a long craggy staff (symbol of longevity) with a double gourd filled with the elixir of life. He is surrounded by some flowers and trees with in the left upper corner a kind of bat or possibly a bird.

Shou Lao or Shouxing is one of the three gods of luck, called Sanxing being the Chinese gods of the three stars or constellations considered essential in Chinese astrology and mythology: Jupiter, Ursa Major, and Canopus. Fuxing, Luxing, and Shouxing are also the embodiments of the three attributes of a good life: Fortune (Fu), presiding over planet Jupiter, Prosperity (Lu), presiding over Ursa Major, and Longevity (Shou), presiding over Canopus. They have emerged from Chinese folk religion. Their iconic representation as three, old, bearded, wise men dates back to the Ming dynasty, when the gods of the three stars were represented in human form for the first time. The images of these three Chinese gods of luck can be found nowadays in almost every non-Christian Han Chinese family.

The star of the Chinese deity of longevity Shouxing is Alpha Carinae (Canopus), the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina and the second-brightest star in the night sky. It is the star of the south pole in Chinese astronomy, and is believed to control the life spans of mortals. According to legend, he was carried in his mother's womb for ten years before being born, and was already an old man when delivered. He is also said to come from Xi Wangmu's magical garden in heaven where the fruits of longevity grow.

Age: Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)

Size: 35 cm high, 44.5 cm high with handle, 25 cm large, 22.7 cm deep.

Weight: 3844 gr.

Condition: This medicine box is in reasonable condition taking into account his very high age. Slight damage at the sides. The lock and key also the small handle of one drawer are missing. There is also a long vertical crack in the carving of the front panel. Good signs of long time use and good high age patina. Look carefully to the pictures which are an integral part of the description. Consequently any damage or repair to the object not mentioned in the text, but visible in the photos, are considered to be described.

The description and explanation of the item have been made in good faith and to the best of my knowledge. The dimensions are measured manually and are therefore approximate. Colors may differ slightly from the original colors. This is a private sale as I am not a professional seller; I am a collector who liquidates his collection. Therefore, I do not accept returns unless in very exceptional cases. In any case, the return costs are to be paid by the buyer. I hope you will understand this. Please don’t hesitate to request before purchasing all information you need. Your satisfaction and positive feedback is very important to me. If you have any problems with the item or services, please feel free to contact me first before you leave negative feedback. I will do my best to solve any problems.

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