For ladies who have jewels, a nice, unique jewelry box is absolutely indispensable. Recently, an archaistic jewelry box shop near the famous Hongqiao pearl market really impressed me. The jewelry boxes there have strong traditional Chinese characteristics and simply look like antiques.

As soon as I entered the shop, a number of appealing wooden jewelry boxes of different sizes jumped into my sight. Most of them were painted with vermilion paint and yellow images. The two colors symbolize nobleness and happiness in China. The hardware accessories like handles are made of yellow brass.

I also noticed the vivid images on the boxes. Most of them depict dragons and phoenixes. Dragons represent male, while phoenixes signify female. And a picture with a dragon and a phoenix stands for harmony and protection.

The shopkeeper, Mr. Li, told me these jewelry boxes were handmade and hand painted based on styles popular in the Ming and Qing dynasties hundreds of years ago. He opened this shop as he believed these archaistic jewelry boxes would be well-received even these days.

I couldn’t agree more. Actually, a national treasure is an international treasure.

What I appreciated

Archaistic jewelry boxes, handmade artwork

Location: 36 Tiantan Donglu, Chongwen District (just opposit the east gate of Temple of Heaven)

Tel: 6711-8984

Opening Hours: 8:30am-7pm

Public Transport: Subway Line 5 ( Tiantan Dongmen Station )

Take bus 39, 43, 60, 116, 610