Lot Essay
The Imperial lacquer workshops of the Qianlong period produced a variety of boxes and covers of complex form. These utilitarian objects were created to delight and surprise the Imperial family with their innovative designs. In this instance, the pair of boxes are not only of unusual form, incorporating both a circle and a square, but also finely carved through different levels of layered polychrome lacquer of red, yellow, green and black tone.
For other Qianlong carved cinnabar lacquer boxes and covers of complex shape, see the three finely carved flower-form boxes in the Asian Art Museum of San Franciso illustrated by Hai-Wai Yi-Chen, Chinese Art in Overseas Collections, Lacquerware, pls. 158-169.
There are few carved lacquer boxes with calligraphic inscriptions, such detailed work can best be compared to a bowl dated 1746 in the Vicotria and Albert Museum, illustrated by Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, pl. 93.
(US$41,000-45,000)
For other Qianlong carved cinnabar lacquer boxes and covers of complex shape, see the three finely carved flower-form boxes in the Asian Art Museum of San Franciso illustrated by Hai-Wai Yi-Chen, Chinese Art in Overseas Collections, Lacquerware, pls. 158-169.
There are few carved lacquer boxes with calligraphic inscriptions, such detailed work can best be compared to a bowl dated 1746 in the Vicotria and Albert Museum, illustrated by Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, pl. 93.
(US$41,000-45,000)