A rare Chinese export silver gilt and enamelled ‘Eight Immortals’ circular box for the Thai market, mark of hui yuan, circa 1840-1875, on the cover repoussé with the scene of the Eight Taoist Immortals gathering in a garden, each holding their own vessels that can bestow life or destroy evil, the exterior of the body decorated with a similar continuous scene, all against a bright blue lapiz lazuli ground, the base impressed with ‘wen yin’ (‘cash silver’) and the silversmith’s mark ‘hui yuan’ and ‘xia jiu pu’ (a historical canton parade of shops), 16.2cm diameter x 7.5cm high, weight 858 gram. More at http://www.mingchingantiques.com/product/a-extremely-rare-chinese-export-silver-gilt-and-enamelled-eight-immortals-circular-box-and-cover-made-for-the-royal-house-of-siam-by-hui-yuan-circa-1840-1875