QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-95)

Details

AN IMPERIAL EMBELLISHED CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER PEACH-FORM BOX AND COVER
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-95)
The top surface finely inlaid with hardwood forming a gnarled branch and five peaches, each of a different kind of hardstone, including rose quartz, lapis-lazuli and turquoise, all framed by a garland of peaches borne on leafy stems, the tall sides with clusters of fruiting peach branches amidst bats in flight, all reserved on an intricately carved diaper ground and supported on five bat-form feet, the interior coated in gold lacquer decorated with cloud patterns
14¾ in. (37.5 cm.) wide.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

Please note the provenance for this lot should read:
Ghiso, Buenos Aires & Paris (according to label to the interior of box)
Ghiso were famous jewellers at the beginning of the 20th century, with shops in Buenos Aires, Paris and New York. They also specialised in other luxury items such as the current lot.
There is a further label to the interior of the box which reads 'Teatro Colon, No. 283, Expositor Ghiso'.
Teatro Colon is the main Opera House in Buenos Aires, being opened in 1908 and it was also a prestigious place for art exhibitions.

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Lot Essay

Compare a virtually identical embellished peach-form box and cover from the Victoria and Albert Museum collections, published by R. S. Jenyns in Chinese Art, The Minor Arts II, London, 1965, no. 195, p. 286.

A similar cinnabar lacquer peach-form box and cover decorated in relief from the Palace Museum, Beijing, was included in the exhibition China: The Three Emperors 1662-1795, The Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2005, no. 296, p. 374.

It is believed by many scholars that this particular design was applied to vessels made for the celebration of imperial birthdays. The composition of eight peaches and five bats is very auspicious. The eight peaches symbolize longevity, and also through association with the peaches of longevity grown in the orchard of the Queen Mother of the West. The five red bats provide rebuses both for good fortune and for the Five Blessings of longevity, health, wealth, love of virtue, and a peaceful death.

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