Chinese Brass Matchbox Holder with Dog raku sculpture 5ʺw × 8ʺd × 5ʺh

5ʺw × 8ʺd × 5ʺh

well suited for use holding this or that

this basket features two bands of curlicues around its sides and a fancy "bow" at the center of its lid

whose recently deceased father had been an architect and great collector

Chinese Brass Matchbox Holder with Dog raku sculpture 5ʺw × 8ʺd × 5ʺhWhile one would expect it to be a Foo Dog that would appear on the top of a Chinese match box holder, it seems there were a whole series of these made for export in the earlyish 20th century featuring an array of different dogs as well as other animals. This little dog has floppy ears and a very sweet if a bit sad looking face, and appears to be studying the engraved decoration around the edges of the matchbox holder upon which he sits! The flip side