A RARE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER 'HUNDRED BOYS' CIRCULAR BOX AND COVER

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A RARE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER 'HUNDRED BOYS' CIRCULAR BOX AND COVER
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The top and sides of the cover are finely and deeply carved through the diaper ground with young boys at play within an elaborate garden landscape with pavilions, trees and ornamental rocks, the boys engaging in various pursuits including practicing acrobatics, playing musical instruments, acting out a drama and lighting up firecrackers. The sides of the box are similarly decorated. The interior and base are lacquered black, and the body core material is metal.
6 7/8 in. (17 cm.) diam.

Lot Essay

A very similar circular red lacquer box carved with the 'hundred boys', shown chasing a kui, riding hobby horses, and playing music, also with a metal body is in the Qing Court collection and is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 46 - Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 2006, pp. 18-19, pl. 10.

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