A LARGE CINNABAR LACQUER BOX AND COVER OF MALLOW SHAPE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of muted red colour, finely and deeply carved to the cover with a river landscape scene with retreats and scholars in the foreground, above the sides with further similar panels of retreats in river landscapes, all bordered with bands of key-fret, the interior in black lacquer with gilt painted fruit and floral roundels, the base in black lacquer

This large box and cover are in good condition with the exception of the following: the cover has a circa 10cm., partially repaired age crack running vertically in the indentation between two lobes and is visible externally and internally, a similar area of restoration to another indentation, restoration to the lower section (covering the keyfret band) of seven of the rim indentations, nibbles and chips to the inside edge of the rim, hairline age cracks measuring 2.5, 4 and 4.5cm., long to the rim, minor loss to the extremities of the carving ( to the finial on one roof, to the right hand of one scholar and to the top of the staff of another, to the central section and lower right branch of the tree in the foreground, to one bush beside the bridge, to the tips of the trees in the distance and minor flakes to the rockwork), a 3cm scratch to one lobe, a 2cm flake to the rim, characteristic crazing and hairline cracks to the black lacquer interior; the box has restoration and cracking to the indentations either side of one lobe and the corresponding foot, similar restoration to the upper section of three other rim indentations, a 1cm., flange flake, crazing and hairline cracks to the black lacquer interior. It is possible that the interior and flanges have been over-sprayed.
"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."

The present box is an exceptional example of the level of expertise achieved by lacquer carvers during the Qing dynasty, as seen in the various textures created to suggest differing backgrounds, which also accentuated the high-relief figurative scene. A similarly carved box of this form and size was sold at Christie's London, 9^th July 1979, lot 80; another slightly smaller box was sold in these rooms, 24^th February, 1976, lot 73; another in our Los Angeles rooms, 4^th March 1983; and a larger example was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th November 2007, lot 1796.