A CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL GILT COPPER LIDDED BOX WITH SINI SCRIPT FOR THE ISLAMIC EXPORT MARKET
Possibly Qianlong period, China, 18th century

Of rectangular shape, resting on a raised splayed foot, the lid with rounded edges, the exterior decorated with overlapping horizontal bands of cloisonné enamelled lotus flower scrolls and stylised geometric motifs, the central rectangular cartouche on the lid showing a black and white cloisonné enamel sini epigraphic inscription reading Muhammad Rasulullah (Muhammad is God's messenger), the final part of the Shahada, the Sunni declaration of Faith, the interior plain, the base possibly engraved at a later stage with the inscription 乾隆年製 (‘made during the Qianlong period'), 9.5cm x 14cm x 9cm.