Tung Chih Qing Dynasty Chinese Lacquered Hand-Painted Teapot Box 1862-1874

Description

Purchased in San Francisco in the mid-1960's from a trusted dealer of Asian antiques, it still has the original card which reads:
"Tung Chih 1862-1874 Wood Tea Pot Box"
Tongzhi was the 10th Emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty.
This 8-sided wood teapot box is lacquered in black and hand painted -- each side is framed with the same design for continuity, but each of the feature panels has a different painting of a bird and landscape in a solft blue-gray.  The colors of the lacquer and the painted birds have the softness only age can bring.
The wood looks to be rosewood (not positive, so please see pictures).  The wood staves are enclosed with two iron bands.  The bands have an aged patina; they are not drilled into the box, but float on the surface.  The handle is very finely carved and features two dragons with mouths wide open, forming a space for a hand hold.  The handle also features some early engineering in its method of closure.
The box has the charming irregularities that are characteristic of hand-fashioned items, rather than the precise match of something machine made.  It has a commanding size and weighs just under 4 pounds.
Dimensions:  11" tall x 9" wide
Remarkably good antique condition, with o
nly a few minor dings or small spots that have lost lacquer or paint
Shipping to continental US only -- box is fairly large and heavy, so I will pay the balance of shipping charges.
Selling to settle my mom's estate -- she was an ASID interior designer in Newport Beach and San Clemente, CA for 40 years.