Lot 150. A rare pair of Canton Tribute embellished silver-gilt jadeite boxes, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795); height 1 3/4 in.; width 3 1/4 in. 4.4 cm, 8.2 cm. Estimate  20,000-30,000 USD. Lot sold 134,500 USD. Photo Sotheby's

the silver-gilt boxes of octagonal form, each set with a conforming jadeite plaque framed by studded borders of split seed pearl and red glass backed by foil, the bases chased with precious objects and bags framed by concentric borders of European-style 'rococo' scrolls and lappets. 

Note: Highly ornate gilt metal objects richly embellished with colored glass-paste stones attracted the attention of the Qianlong emperor who commissioned many such pieces, most notably large clocks, for the Imperial palace, whilst smaller novelty items were often selected as tribute to the Qing court.

Sotheby's. Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor. New York, 24 sept. 2012