18TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE CARVED ZITAN BOX AND COVER
18TH CENTURY
Well carved in low relief on the sides and top with sinewy dragons writhing amidst clouds, all reserved on a ground of wan emblems enlcosed by key fret, the interior fitted with a zitan tray supported on four small white jade tabs, the wood of attractive color and figure
7½ x 11¼ in. (19 x 28.5 cm.), box

Provenance

Acquired in Shanghai in the 1970s.

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Lot Essay

An imperially-inscribed zitan box and cover of similar size (18.5 x 29.5 cm.), also carved with dragons amidst clouds, but dated to the late Ming dynasty, in the Qing court collection, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 44 - Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 279, no. 224. It is interesting to note the close similarity in construction of both boxes, where the base is made from a thin sheet of zitan, which is then applied to the lower portion of the box.

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