AN UNUSUAL CARVED IMPERIAL BLACK LACQUERED ZITAN BOX AND COVER INLAID WITH AN ARCHAIC JADE BI QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the cover inlaid with an archaic jade bi dated to the Han dynasty, incised with an overall array of small spirals, the stone of a celadon tone with paler and dark brown inclusions and with an area of white calcification, secured through the central hole  by a lacquer retaining plug carved with the triagram qian, the cover carved with circular rolling waves and encircled by a keyfret band, the sides of the box and cover carved in archaistic style with upright and pendant cicada lappets reserved on a leiwen ground, the interior and base lacquered black

There are expected age cracks overall. There are two age cracks across the interior of the cover, and small associated chips to the interior of the box. There are some old nibbles to the edge of the jade bi. Otherwise the piece is in good condition overall.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It appears that the present box was made for the jade bi.  Boxes of this imperial quality are quite rare.  A few of these zitan boxes containing jade bi disks can be found in the Palace Museum in Beijing, illustrated in Qing Legacies: The Sumptuous Art of Imperial Packaging, The Macau Museum of Art, 2000, cat.nos. 5 and 37. 

Other archaic jade bi disks have been mounted as imperial table screens. Compare an archaic bi table screen sold in these rooms 4th November 1997, lot 1201 and another one in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Oriental Ceramics Society, Hong Kong, 1986, cat.no. 181.  In both examples, the jade is mounted to the screen by a plug carved with trigram qian, which is a homophone on the Qianlong Emperor's reign title. 

All of these examples shows the imperial court's appreciation for archaism - combining an ancient jade article with 18th cenury Qing style.