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Boxes

Boxes in China, were carved out of wood, having minute and detailed artwork, usually in wood, on the top surface. Some boxes were very small, used to store important items like tools, make up stuff, cutlery (chopsticks etc.) and even money.

Boxes were also used to store some general and rather unique things, like incense stick for example. Boxes had double doors or a sliding single door at the top. It was more of a lid. The sliding door slid from one end to another, supported over a wooden rail system, and it would pop out from the other end.

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Boxes of bigger sizes were made to store materials related to worship and certain things like sewing needles, jewellery and ornaments. Some boxes were used as fragrance causing agents, much like the room fresheners of modern times. They would store incense sticks, and usually the boxes had incense stick stands in them, to support them. These sticks were erected on the stand and then burned, producing smoke that got rid of insects and fragrance, which made the room feel fresher.

This was the ancient use of boxes. By the medieval period, the Chinese had started making “take out” boxes. These were boxes that could fit into one another. The end user opened one box, took out the box inside it, and maybe many boxes, each inside the bigger one, till he would reach the final box, in which a valuable item, usually diamond or gold, was kept. It was a wonderful innovation that let you transport your valuables, without letting the third person even having a sniff of it.

These days though, the concept of “take out” boxes is very popular in the west because of the great packaging value it provides and is a widely accepted method to get gifts packed for your loved ones on a special moment.

Antique Chinese Boxes