Copper Plaited Lions

Length: 22 cm, width: 7 cm, height: 18cm. Collection of Qing court

This pair of lions is plaited with copper from the Qing Dynasty and is decorated with metallic beads. The male is wearing a red ball of fluff. These lions are skillfully constructed in a unique way. They once were exhibited at the 1924 charity exhibition held in Xi’an, making them remarkable and of special contribution among toys from the Qing court.

Celluloid Chinese Tumblers

Length: 5.2 cm, width: 7 cm, height: 18cm. Qing Dynasty

The Chinese tumbler, an easily tipped toy that quickly rights itself, has been popular toy for centuries in China. The tumbler is developed from a kind of drink vessel from the Tang Dynasty. Traditional Chinese tumblers are made of natural material such as clay and paper, but these Qing tumblers are made of celluloid, showing the characteristic of the time.