Details
A RARE CARVED COCONUT SHELL HAT BOX
18TH CENTURY
The stepped cover carved in low relief with decorative bands of dragons racing amidst foliate scroll, phoenix separated by peony sprays, phoenix in flight amidst trailing clouds, and a band of scattered prunus blossoms, all below further dragons and scrolling lingzhi on the top, the lower section decorated with four shou medallions flanked by dragons within quatrefoil reserves separated by alternating phoenix and dragons, all on a "cracked ice" pattern-ground repeated on the slightly concave base which slopes inwards towards a recessed center spanned by a strap handle, the interior of doughnut form with a central circular bowl of coconut shell carved on the exterior with dragon panels reserved on a diaper ground, the remainder of the interior covered in red lacquer, some losses and restoration--13 1/2 in. (34.3cm.) diam.
18TH CENTURY
The stepped cover carved in low relief with decorative bands of dragons racing amidst foliate scroll, phoenix separated by peony sprays, phoenix in flight amidst trailing clouds, and a band of scattered prunus blossoms, all below further dragons and scrolling lingzhi on the top, the lower section decorated with four shou medallions flanked by dragons within quatrefoil reserves separated by alternating phoenix and dragons, all on a "cracked ice" pattern-ground repeated on the slightly concave base which slopes inwards towards a recessed center spanned by a strap handle, the interior of doughnut form with a central circular bowl of coconut shell carved on the exterior with dragon panels reserved on a diaper ground, the remainder of the interior covered in red lacquer, some losses and restoration--13 1/2 in. (34.3cm.) diam.