A VERY RARE CARVED RED AND BLACK LACQUER 'INCENSE BOX'

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A VERY RARE CARVED RED AND BLACK LACQUER 'INCENSE BOX'
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The three-tiered box superbly made in imitation of an elegant two storey pavilion, the upper storey a removable box, the cover in the form of a tiled roof set above walls carved with panels of flowers reserved on diaper grounds, the sides of the box carved as a balustrade decorated with panels of flowers reserved on diaper grounds, the lower and main storey also with a flared roof carved with a border of lotus-filled ruyi heads reserved on a diaper ground and raised on ten posts that rise from a balustrade that surrounds a long, set-back room, its sides carved as twenty-four panels decorated with the flowers of the twelve seasons repeated on the long sides and the ends, the two panels at one end opening as doors to reveal three drawers, this whole section also removable to reveal another compartment in its base which sits within the balustrade of the separate stand carved on the shaped apron and ruyi-shaped supports with foliate scroll
16 in. (40.6 cm.) high, 18 7/8 in. (48 cm.) long, 7 7/8 in. (19.8 cm.) deep

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

A nearly identical incense box (48.8 cm. high), dated to the middle of the Qing dynasty, in the Shanghai Museum collection is illustrated in Zhongguo Qiqi Quanji, vol. 6, Beijing, 1993, pl. 217. (Fig.1) See, also, a superbly carved red lacquer temple-form cabinet (48.3 cm. high) sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30 May 2006, lot 1265. Like the present box, the cabinet contains several drawers within the structure which are hidden by a pair of ornately carved lacquer doors.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Parts I & II)

View All