A Chinese Canton ivory tangram qiqiaoban,
mid-19th century, the box of square form, the slide cover carved with figures in a garden, the underside with peony and other flowers, contains seven shaped ivory plaques carved with flowers and gourds,,
box 6.2cm square

Qiqiaoban (seven boards of skill), is a dissection puzzle consisting of seven flat shapes, called tans, which are put together to form shapes. The objective of the puzzle is to form a specific shape using all seven pieces given, only an outline or silhouette, and they may not overlap. It is reputed to have been invented in China during the Song Dynasty and then carried over to Europe by trading ships in the early 19th century.

清十九世纪中期 广东制象牙雕庭院人物图七巧板连盖盒