Tinder-box (length 2 5/8 ins) of solid gold; rectangular

Tinder-box (length 2 5/8 ins) of solid gold; rectangular, with rounded corners; the surface exquisitely decorated by a central design (the Chinese emblem of "Longevity") in dark blue enamel, also by five bats (the Chinese emblem of "Good Luck") in turquoise, and by a border of blue turquoises, all inlaid in the gold; the flint and tinder are contained in an inner receptacle, also of solid gold, which pulls out at the bottom, and the steel is affixed to its lower edge; at the top is a thick ribbon of yellow silk, terminating in a large bead of red coral, which serves as a toggle to attach the tinder-box to the owner's girdle; altogether a most beautiful piece of workmanship; probably made for the personal use of the Emperor or Empress of China; part of the loot from the Imperial Palace, Peking, at the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. China.