λ A large and fine Chinese Canton ivory basket 1st half 19th century, the lantern-shaped body constructed in three sections, each with eight panels, delicately carved with a multitude of figures engaged in various pursuits and on horseback with pagodas, trees and other animals, the cover's finial a bouquet of poppy seed heads and peach, the handle rising from the reticulated scroll-work base and formed as twisted scaly dragons and clouds, surmounted by two further dragons confronting a puzzle ball, 54.9cm. (3)

Provenance: Henry Trail (1755-1832), who was an agent of the East India Company, and thence by descent.

Cf. Chinese Export Art in the Hermitage Museum, Late 16th-19th centuries, p.105, cat.114, where another basket of cylindrical form is illustrated. An almost identical example is exhibited in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts.