A LARGE CARVED RED LACQUER PETAL-LOBED BOX AND COVER

A LARGE CARVED RED LACQUER PETAL-LOBED BOX AND COVER
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Of lobed octagonal form, the top decorated with a central five-clawed dragon protecting a flaming pearl from the four surrounding dragons, all writhing amidst a dense ground of swirling waves within a key-fret border, with 'precious objects' floating amidst further waves on the lobed sides of the cover and box, with key-fret borders at the rims and on the eight curved V-shaped supports, interior and base lacquered in black, the base with a gilded inscribed Qianlong six-character mark
17¼ in. (44 cm.) across, box