These lots have been imported from outside the EU … Read more

A RARE AND IMPRESSIVE LARGE QIANGJIN AND TIANQI-DECORATED CIRCULAR LACQUER BOX AND COVER

17TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE AND IMPRESSIVE LARGE QIANGJIN AND TIANQI-DECORATED CIRCULAR LACQUER BOX AND COVER

17TH CENTURY
The top of the cover is decorated with two writhing five-clawed dragons amidst scrolling clouds, with a stylised shou character surrounded by five bats in flight between them. The sides of the cover are decorated with panels enclosing further dragons and shou characters, above a band of stylised archaistic dragons encircling the rim. The sides of the box are similarly decorated with panels of dragons, above a key-fret border surrounding the foot. The interiors are lacquered in black.
20¼ in. (51.5 cm) diam.

Provenance

Christie's Paris, 13 June 2007, lot 115.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Cherrei Yuan Tian

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

ytian@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2571

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

The current lot is impressive for its large size and elaborate decoration, which required a high level of skill to execute. The technique of qiangjin involves incising fine lines into the base lacquer, which are then filled in with gold. On this box the qiangjin has been used for the outlines of the decorative elements and some of the details. The designs are completed with coloured lacquers using the tianqi technique. It appears that no other similar example of this type has been published.

More from Appreciating Elegance: Art from the Sui Yuan Zhai Collection

View All