Large carved wood chest, China, Canton for England, 19th cen - Lot 206

Large carved wood chest, China, Canton for England, 19th century Rectangular in shape, opening at the top and standing on six feet. The molded top is carved with three medallions: two rectangular ones decorated with birds, butterflies and prunus flowers, framing a circular panel in the center decorated with peony flowers and branches around an oval silver plate engraved with the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, while perpendicular to the pediment, a numeral consisting of two interlaced letters VR is engraved on a silver circle. This could be Queen Victoria's cypher (Victoria regina). The interior of the chest is lined with red silk damask with flowers. A long, rectangular and apparently cylindrical recess has been made to accommodate an object that may have been a silk roll or other item given to the Queen as a diplomatic gift. Unfortunately, the object has disappeared. Height: 33 cm; 194 x 40 cm Alterations to the hinges. The coat of arms can be read as follows: Crest: Golden leopard crowned with the Tudor crown proper. Stamp: Golden helmet ensigned by the Tudor crown. Ecu: Quarterly: 1st and 4th, Gules, three leopards Or (for England), 2nd, Or, a lion Gules, a double tressure flory and counter-flory Or (for Scotland), 3rd, Azure, a harp Or stringed Argent (for Ireland). Supporters: To the dexter a lion crowned Or and to the sinister a unicorn Argent armed, langued and shackled Or. The chain is attached to a crown Or. Terrace simplified here: Roses Gules and Argent, seeded, slipped and leaved Vert, and shamrocks and thistles proper. The coat of arms shows the various royal emblems from different parts of the United Kingdom. The three lions of England in the first and fourth cantons, the lion of Scotland in the second and the harp of Ireland in the third. The shield is surrounded by a garter bearing the motto "honi soit qui mal y pense", symbolizing the Order of the Garter, an order of chivalry of which the Queen is the head. The shield, surmounted by the royal crown, is supported by the English lion on the left and the Scottish unicorn on the right. Beneath it is the sovereign's motto, "God and my right". The plant emblems of the United Kingdom, the rose, the thistle and the shamrock, are placed beneath the shield.