Rare Meissen spice box, the oval body and lid ribbed, painted in underglaze blue with a Japanese style flower pattern, including several lively insects, within a lotus petal border containing alternating scrolls and flowerheads, the knop moulded as an artichoke,and standing on six lions paw feet. Underglaze blue crossed swords mark on the inside of box, also "J" or "8" in underglaze blue Circa 1735
References: ref. Syze collection #151 Circa 1730-35, also Jedding 'Meissener Porzeellan' #63 same date, both with plain bodies as in this piece. An almost identical example of shape and decoration can be seen in the Dresden Collection, Inv. no. P.E. 2265 a/b, also Circa 1730-35.