This lacquer box, exquisitely designed and crafted, depicts a subject which was favoured by the Jiajing emperor. The subject matter was also popular on porcelain vessels; among the finest of which are the large blue and white jars and covers, such as the one from the J.M. Hu and Jingguantang Collection sold in these Rooms, 5 November 1997, lot 888. The 'boys' theme was popular in Southern Song paintings particularly those of small children at play by the Academic painter, Su Hanchen (active early 12th century). The imagery was particularly pertinent in later periods since it was good augury for the emperor to produce male heirs.

Compare with another rectangular lacquer box in the National Palace Museum, Taibei, illustrated in Gugong Wenwu, juan no. 4, July 1987, p. 101; a much smaller seal paste box and cover of the same date carved with far fewer boys at play, included in the Hong Kong O.C.S. exhibition, 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, 1993, Catalogue, no. 70; and to a 16th century screen from the collection of Helen and Peter Lin where the 'hundred boys' play in terraced gardens within palace walls, op. cit., no. 72.

Lacquer objects of this theme remained popular into the Qing Dynasty, and boxes in 16th century style were produced for the court. Cf. several related 18th century 'boys' boxes and covers, one with a Qianlong mark from the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, Lacquer, vol. 8, no. 168; another illustrated in Le Musee Chinois de l'Imperatrice Eugenie, p. 49; and a third in The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco illustrated in Hai-Wai Yi-Chen, Chinese Art in Overseas Collections, Lacquerware, pl. 155.

(US$50,000-70,000)