Pair of circular Imperial boxes and covers, with rounded sides rising to a ribbed rim, and flat base. The top deeply carved, with three playing sea beasts with grinning expressions and bushy tails, amidst breaking waves in green. On the sides, the same wave ground scattered with red flower stems and fruit. Incised horizontally on the base, the six character reign-mark, and below, the inscription:

海獸寳盒

Haishou baohe

‘Sea-beast’ precious boxes

Text adapted from Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen: Volume III.