Chinese late 19th-century brass opium tray with engraved court scene

This late 19th-century oval brass tray is a finely crafted example of Chinese export metalwork. The tray’s surface features a engraved scene of three women in traditional Qing attire, possibly noblewomen or members of the court, depicted in a garden setting. The background includes bamboo plants, clouds, flowering bushes, and a geometric-patterned fence.

Bamboo represents resilience, strength, and integrity, while the cloud motifs are traditional symbols of good fortune and longevity. Trays of this type were sometimes part of opium-smoking sets, reflecting the social practices and customs of the era.

There are sings of age, such as light scratches, minor oxidation spots, and a developed patina. The “CHINA” mark on the back confirms its production for export after 1891.

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