QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Compare a lacquer box carved with the same design in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2006, no. 14. Earlier versions of this pattern appear to be used as a border motif rather than a central focus, for example see a Song-dynasty version on black lacquer sold at Christie’s New York, 21-22 March 2013, lot 1197, and a Jiajing-period stationery chest from the Lee Family Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2012, lot 2102.

The intricate wave design of the present lot is repeated in combination with other subjects, such as prunus, carp and waves, as seen on a box sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1412.