QIANLONG

Details

A Rare Carved Red Lacquer Lozenge-Shaped Tiered Box and Stand
Qianlong
Comprised of a cover, three trays and a stand, all of lozenge section, the top of the cover carved as if formed by two interlocking squares enclosing a small shou character in the center flanked on either side by a large scaly dragon, all reserved against a ground of roiling waves, the sides of the trays carved with panels of antiques and with lotus sprays at the corners, all with black-lacquered interiors, the fitted stand incised on top with foliate sprays within a keyfret-carved rim, the apron and ruyi-shaped feet carved with diaper pattern
123/8in. (31.4cm.) across stand, 9in. (22.9cm.) high

Lot Essay

The shape of this box may be based on Ming dynasty prototypes, such as the lacquer box incised and painted with two dragons contesting a flaming pearl and incised on the base with a Longqing mark in the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, The University, Birmingham, illustrated by F. Low-Beer, 'Chinese Lacquer of the Middle and Late Ming Period', B.M.F.E.A., No. 24, Stockholm, 1952, pl. 17, nos. 78 and 79.
A similar box is illustrated in Gugong qi tezhan mulu (Catalogue of a Special Exhibition of Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum), Taipei, 1981, no. 57.

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