Love Birds in Basket with Flowering Vines, 1804 Watercolor in Antique Lemon Gold Frame carved wooden spiked comb as it has remained pretty

as it has remained pretty much in tact while the the plum ground is pretty threadbare

Box measures 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" x 1 1/4"

and there are a few small pieces of mother of pearl still inlaid as well—all adhered to a solid wood panel

and by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) had become one of its most appreciated art forms

who over the course of the 32 cards encounters a cast of characters from  pig to cat to spider to baby

Love Birds in Basket with Flowering Vines, 1804 Watercolor in Antique Lemon Gold Frame carved wooden spiked comb as it has remained prettyThe back of this charming watercolor is dated, in graphite, 1804 which of course I forgot to photograph when I had it out of the frame, but it is easy to open and see. A sign of spring arriving 222 years ago! I can't resist a watercolor like this, and love the way both the straw of the nest and the weave of the rich yellow basket were invested with a great deal of attention. And then these love birds themselves, full of life and also quite relatable,