MING DYNASTY, EARLY 15TH CENTURY

Naturalistic floral motifs of this type were popular during the early Ming dynasty and can be seen on dishes, as well as boxes, of the period. For a Yongle-marked covered box of similar design and size, see Catalogue of a Special Exhibition of Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1981, no. 8. Another of slightly larger size, also with Yongle mark, was included in the exhibition, From Innovation to Conformity, Chinese Lacquer from the 13th to 16th centuries, Bluett & Sons, London, June 1989. On these two boxes, as well as on the Falk box, the large central bloom is surrounded by a partially open flower and two buds interspersed with artfully carved leaves.