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Lot Essay
These impressive and exquisite lacquer 'chun' boxes made during the Qianlong reign were inspired by those made for the Ming dynasty emperor Jiajing (1522-1566), such as the one exhibited by the Hong Kong O.C.S. in 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 24 September - 21 November 1993, pp. 120-1, no. 61. The Jiajing emperor was a devout Daoist, which gives rise to the imagery presented on these boxes - the bowl of precious objects, the roundel of Shoulao, the God of Longevity, and the large chun character. When pictured together this gives the rebus wanshou changchun, which may be translated as 'ten thousand birthdays and endless spring', which is a wish for longevity and continuous renewal.
These boxes were so admired by the Qianlong Emperor that he ordered many versions during his reign. Given their auspicious nature, they were used to hold food presented as a ceremonial gift at the lunar new year or for birthdays.
Compare similar slightly larger boxes, including one illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Carved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 25, and those sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1705 and Christie's Paris, 21-22 December 2016, lot 292.
These boxes were so admired by the Qianlong Emperor that he ordered many versions during his reign. Given their auspicious nature, they were used to hold food presented as a ceremonial gift at the lunar new year or for birthdays.
Compare similar slightly larger boxes, including one illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Carved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 25, and those sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1705 and Christie's Paris, 21-22 December 2016, lot 292.