Cette forme particulière de boîte apparaît durant la période Jiajing. Très appréciée par l'Empereur Qianlong, elle fut reproduite tout au long de son règne ainsi qu'au 19ème siècle.
The pattern on the top of the cover can be first seen on carved lacquer circular boxes of the Jiajing period. These boxes were greatly also admired by the Emperor Qianlong and much copied during his reign. An example of such circular "Spring" box belonging to the Asian art Museum of San Francisco is illustrated in H. Garner, Chinese Lacquer, Faber and Faber, London 1979, pl.90. The present box is an elegant variation of this design, incorporating the circular Chun design medallion into a square format. See the pair of boxes of this unusual form sold in our New York Rooms, 20 March 2001, lot 82.