18TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE HUANGHUALI SCHOLAR'S BOX
18TH CENTURY
The rectangular box with fine patina and rich color, the top sliding open to reveal six compartments of varying sizes used for brushes, ink sticks and other scholarly implements, with a ruyi head-hinged clasp adorning the front of the box and securing in place a shallow drawer
11 13/16 in. (30 cm.) long

Provenance

Piccus Collection.

Literature

R. Piccus, (ed.), Wood From the Scholar's Table: Chinese Hardwood Carvings and Scholar's Articles, Altfield Gallery, Hong Kong, 1984, pp. 92-3, no. 51 and 51A.

Lot Essay

Calligraphy was a noble pursuit of the scholar, who sought to perfect the refined art of the brush. The current box would have been used to hold paper, brushes and writing accoutrements, and would have been small enough to keep close at hand at all times. This box, made from huanghuali, shows the rich grain and lustrous color made famous by this prized wood.

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