18TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE LARGE BAMBOO VENEER CIRCULAR BOX AND COVER
18TH CENTURY
Of stepped cushion form, the sides divided into twelve lobes radiating from a circular panel on the top finely carved with a scene of farmers, in the form of 'turquoise' appliques, at work in rice paddies, with willow trees in the foreground, raised paths amidst the paddies, and buildings in a fenced compound in the distance, all within a diaper border, the lobes divided into panels carved with delicate scrolling tendrils issuing from 'turquoise' lotus or begonia blossoms, the black-lacquered interior painted in shades of gold with bats flying amidst clouds around a central shou character medallion
17¾ in. (45.2 cm.) diam.

Provenance

Acquired in the early 1970s.

Brought to you by

Krystelle Sun

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Lot Essay

A very similar bamboo veneer box of this shape and size, probably the mate to the present box, but with a different scene on the top, from the collection of Mrs. L. Dreyfus, was included in the exhibition, Arts of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 26 May-2 July 1964, no. 461.

The present image of farming is likely based on an image from the Gengzhi Tu, 'Illustrations of Ploughing and Weaving', that were originally produced as a series of paintings by the court painter Jiao Bingzhen at the request of Emperor Kangxi in 1690. These paintings were later inscribed with poetic texts composed and written by the Emperor himself.

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