Chinese Shard Box Value Guide

Lidded Porcelain Bowl Handpainted Birds Flowers Floral ...
Chinese Shard Box
Estimated Value
$45 – $50
Period
1940-1960
Origin
China
Materials
Porcelain, Brass, Enamel
Category
Chinese box

Chinese Shard Boxes are unique vanity items created between 1940 and 1960 to repurpose antique porcelain fragments from the Ming and Qing dynasties. This heart-shaped example is highly collectible for its hand-painted avian motif inset into a decorative brass base.

What Is Chinese Shard Box Worth?

The typical price range for Chinese Shard Box is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

  • The quality and detail of the hand-painted bird or floral motif on the porcelain shard.
  • The physical condition of the brass frame, including the presence of original enamel accents or patina.
  • The age and origin of the porcelain fragment, with Ming or Qing dynasty pieces commanding higher interest.
  • The overall structural integrity, ensuring the porcelain is securely mounted and the lid functions correctly.

How to Identify Chinese Shard Box?

  • Look for a hand-painted porcelain fragment, typically featuring floral or bird designs, set into a metal frame.
  • Examine the base material, which should be constructed from brass or silver-toned metal with a hinged or lift-off lid.
  • Check for signs of age on the porcelain shard, such as slight irregularities in the glaze or hand-applied enamel consistent with earlier dynasties.
  • Verify the heart-shaped silhouette, a popular mid-20th-century form for these repurposed decorative trinket dishes.

History of Chinese Shard Box

Shard boxes were traditionally created in the early to mid-20th century as a way to repurpose broken pieces of porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties. These fragments, often featuring hand-painted floral or avian motifs, were mounted into silver or brass frames to create decorative vanity items and trinket holders.

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