QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER 'SANDUO' PEACH-SHAPED BOXES AND COVERS
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
Each box is intricately carved on the domed cover to depict pierced rocks among turbulent waters scattered with flowers and petals within a narrow border of overlapping prunus and bamboo. The sides of the box and cover carved with bats in flight among clusters of large ripe peach, pomegranate and finger citron fruits reserved on geometric grounds. The base formed by a peach-shaped panel of three further ripe fruits within a keyfret border. The interiors lacquered black.
7 in. (17.8 cm.) wide

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Lot Essay

The three types of fruiting branches are combined to form the ‘Three Abundances’, sanduo, and together with the bats they form the rebus fushou sanduo and symbolise the wish for numerous sons, a long life and blessings. In addition, the combination of the bats and the rock emerging from the sea forms the additional rebus furu donghai, ‘May you be blessed by the mountain of longevity and sea of blessings’. The symbolism on the boxes indicating perhaps, that these boxes would have been intended as a birthday present for the Emperor.

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