A wonderful form with rare decoration, this round Chinese export porcelain silver-mounted snuff box was undoubtedly made for the Indian market combining both classic Chinese decoration with cartouches of exotic birds and flowers, puce landscapes, and a ‘basket of flowers’ design on the reverse, along with two Mughal figural images; one on the cover painted with a scene of two Indian men seated upon a carpeted garden terrace, and the second, on the interior, with a dancer entertaining an elderly gentleman of some obvious importance who’s wearing a richly patterned robe and leaning upon a gilded sword.  The box with two lines in the porcelain, the silver mounts with traces of original gilding, and the original subtle diapered ground worn but still visible, other than this wear commensurate with age and use, the box is in good condition, a luxurious object made for a merchant prince, nobleman, or court official.  A great artefact of the connections of the China Trade with Mughal India. Measuring 1 1/2″ tall by 3 3/8″ in diameter. Mid/later 18th century.  From Santos of London via the Nelson Kline Collection.