Antique of the week - Chinese jewelry box

i ran across this piece yesterday while i was going through yet another box out in the garage.  It is a small handpainted Chinese jewelry box.  i'd forgotten all about it until i found it again yesterday.

i got this from Grandmother, per usual, years ago when i was a child.  She got it from her sister, Mary Lee whom it was given to by her sister-in-law, Belle Tyner.

The crack on the top has been there as long as i have owned it.  Belle was a missionary in China and sent and brought back many gifts for her family.  This is one of those treasures.  Now, i do not know if this was made for export or not, but it's still beautiful.

i love the way it expands.

and keeps on expanding!

It had a few sentimental treasures in it that'd i'd also forgotten about.  But i'll save that for another day!

Cheers!