A CLOISONNE ENAMEL RING-SHAPED NECKLACE BOX QING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

the ring shaped box of circular section with lobed gilt-metal clasp and hinge, the top and bottom of the box each decorated with three shaped reserves depicting a pair of colorful confronting qilong centered by, respectively, a Fu, Shou, and Lu character in yellow on a turquoise ground, the reserves against a 'cash' diaper

Spink & Son Ltd., London.
Collection of Juan Jose Amezaga, acquired from the above August 1982.
Christie's Paris, 13th June 2007, lot 16.
Cohen & Cohen, London.
Acquired from the above by the present owner, June 2007.

Apart from some wear to the gilding, minor scattered losses, expected pitting and fill to enamels, (particularly on the upper half of the box), the overall condition is quite good. There is a small flaw to clasp and the catch to clasp is broken.
"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."

For a nearly identical but somewhat smaller (diameter 6 3/4 in.) box, compare the example illustrated in Claudia Brown, Chinese Cloisonné. The Clague Collection, Phoenix, 1980, plate 31, pp. 78, 79.  Brown, following the lead of Sir Harry Garner, relates that box to other works in the Clague Collection (Ibid. pls. 29, 30, 32, 33), by virtue of use of the limited palatte, auspicious characters, and serpentine dragons.  Another similar ring-shaped box, formerly in the Collection of Miss A. C. Kemp, sold in our London rooms 7th May 1963, lot 70 (one of two in lot), is illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albet Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné. The Pierre Uldry Collection, Zurich, 1989, no. 166.  Compare also the box sold in our London rooms 16th April, 1976, lot 25, and the box, with red auspicious characters and lotus scrolls in place of the 'cash' diaper of the present box, sold in our Hong Kong rooms 10th April 2006, lot 1819.

The characters on the present box, fu, shou and lu, may be references to the three 'star gods': Fuxing, god of blessings, Shouxing (Shoulao), god of longevity, and Luxing, god of wealth.

 It is interesting to note the apparent relationship in decorative motifs of this group with a group of cloisonné wares bearing auspicious symbols and serpentine qilong or dragons, bearing Wanli marks and of the period or attributed to the late Ming dynasty, such as the censer and the cupstand from the Qing court collection, illustrated in Metal-Bodied Enamel Ware. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002, no. 51, p. 53 and no. 68, p. 71.