YUAN DYNASTY (1279-1368)

The deep V-cut decoration which exposes the multiple layers of red, black and ochre lacquer is characteristic of Yuan lacquers. A very similar box of comparable size is illustrated by J.P. Fang, Treasures of the Chinese Scholar, New York/Tokyo, 1997, p. 145, fig. 147. The box has an inscription indicating that it was made by a great Yuan lacquer artist, Zhang Cheng. A smaller box with similar carved design also employing three colors of lacquer is illustrated in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, no. 381. See, also, the box of slightly smaller size (10.2 cm.) sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30 April 2000, lot 642, which bore the signature of Yang Mao, who is mentioned in the Gegu yao lun as being a pupil of Yang Hui of Xitang at the end of the Yuan dynasty.