Embossed silver opium box decorated with magpies and plum blossoms. The combination of the two forms the rebus ‘xi zai mei shao’ which means ‘Happiness to one’s eyebrows’. The lid shows a depiction of a bat (fu) symbolizing ‘Blessings’. The workmanship on this box is quite detailed. On the bottom is a hallmark with the name of the silver smith which we read as ‘Cheng’. The box dates from the end of the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912). Height 3.5 cm. Diameter 3.3 cm.