Porcelain paint box decorated on the lid with lucky symbols. The two birds are Magpies which together with the Plum blossoms around them are a pun: 'May your joy reach as high as your eyebrows’ (Xishang meishao)'. The magpies 'xique' are birds of Joy and the Plum 'mei' is a pun for 'eyebrows' while the top of the Plum tree 'mei shao' is a pun for 'top of one's eyebrows'. Also shown are Peony flowers (Wealth and Honor) and Lingzhi Fungi (Longevity). The sides of the box are embellished with Osmanthus flowers expressing a wish for Distinguished sons. The box is marked on the bottom with a Jiaqing reign mark but it dates from the 20th century. Length 12.7 cm. Width 7.9 cm. Height 3.4 cm.