China, 16th-17th century. The cylindrical box surmounted by a circular cover, boldly carved and reticulated with two confronting dragons with neatly incised scales, flanking a flaming pearl amid scrolling clouds.

Provenance: The private collection of Heinrich Aigner (1919-2005). Heinrich Aigner was a southern German businessman who collected Chinese works of art, buying them directly in China and neighboring countries, all during his frequent trips to Asia in the 1960s and 1970s.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, natural age cracks, light scratches. Superb deep brown patina, exactly as expected from a late Ming ivory carving.

Weight: 63.1 g
Dimensions: Diameter 5.3 cm, Height 3 cm

This item contains or is made from elephant ivory and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Please note that in compliance with EU regulation effective January 19th, 2022, all items carved from elephant ivory before 1947 must carry a legal trade permit issued by the Austrian ministry of trade, or any other appropriate authority within the European Union. For this reason, any sale of such item can only be concluded after such permit has been granted. All payments made prior to the issuance of the respective permit will be held in escrow until the application for the permit has been approved. Please note that according to EU regulation it may take up to 3 months until the permit has been granted. In case the permit is declined, or not granted after 3 months, the payment will be returned to the client immediately.

明末象牙雕龍紋蓋盒
中國，十六至十七世紀。圓柱形盒蓋上有圓形蓋，雕刻著雙龍戲珠，鱗片清晰整齊。

來源：Heinrich Aigner (1919-2005) 收藏。Heinrich Aigner曾是德國南部重要進口商，熱衷於收集中國藝術品。他在 1960 年代和 1970 年代經常去亞洲旅行，直接在中國和其他國家購買。
品相：狀況極好，有輕微磨損、自然老化裂紋、輕微劃痕。 極好的深棕色包漿，完全符合明末象牙雕刻的情況。

重量：63.1 克
尺寸：直徑5.3 厘米, 高3 厘米