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Lot Essay
Our current box and cover is extremely rare and it could have been designed to contain an inkstone. The use of the black and gilt lacquer, as well as the mercury mechanism imitating the waterfall embody a strong influence from the playful world of the Japanese lacquer suzuribakos during the Edo period. See a lacquer writting box with a mercury-driven miniature waterwheel, dated 17th century, from the Bing collection, sold in Christie's London, 16 November 2000.
The carp, butterflies and flower patterns along with the jade embellishment of our current box could indicate that it was possibly commissioned for the Qing court. It is well documented that the Yongzheng Emperor had a particular fascination with Japanese lacquer techniques, yangqi, and this was reflected in many of the works produced in the Imperial workshops during his reign. For a discussion on the influence of Japanese lacquer in the Qing court, see Qinggong shihui: Yuancang Riben Qiqi Tezhan, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2002.
See a qiangjin and tianqi square box and cover, dated mid-Qing dynasty, also with a mercury-driven miniature waterwheel,
illustrated in Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, p.115, pl.81. See a pair of cabinets decorated using Japanese-influenced techniques, was illustrated by Roger Keverne, Winter Exhibition 2005, London, 2005, no. 132.
The carp, butterflies and flower patterns along with the jade embellishment of our current box could indicate that it was possibly commissioned for the Qing court. It is well documented that the Yongzheng Emperor had a particular fascination with Japanese lacquer techniques, yangqi, and this was reflected in many of the works produced in the Imperial workshops during his reign. For a discussion on the influence of Japanese lacquer in the Qing court, see Qinggong shihui: Yuancang Riben Qiqi Tezhan, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2002.
See a qiangjin and tianqi square box and cover, dated mid-Qing dynasty, also with a mercury-driven miniature waterwheel,
illustrated in Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, p.115, pl.81. See a pair of cabinets decorated using Japanese-influenced techniques, was illustrated by Roger Keverne, Winter Exhibition 2005, London, 2005, no. 132.