A box and stand such as the present lot would have contained books, its rich decoration indicating that it was intended as a precious gift perhaps for the imperial court. A closely related stand and similar box, together with a book, which were presented to the Qianlong Emperor on his eightieth birthday, are illustrated in the catalog to the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition China: The Three Emperors 1662-1795, London, 2005, no. 215.|Compare a related box with floral scrolls sold at Christie's London, 13 November 2015, sale 10419, lot 1099.