A FINELY CARVED AND RARE CINNABAR LACQUER DOCUMENT BOX QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of rectangular section, the exterior intricately carved to reveal three layers of ochre, olive-green, and cinnabar-red  lacquer respectively, the cover with a panel enclosing a character within a medallion (possibly reading zhou shan zheng)surrounded by archaistic scroll and peonies and bats, all within a border of archaistic meander scrolls, the sides similarly carved with peonies and bats, the interior lacquered black and painted with gold fruit and floral sprigs, the sides fitted with a pair of carved gilt-bronze loop handles and a latch 

The overall condition is very good with only a few minute nicks along the edges.
"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."

Imperial stationary boxes that were made during the Qianlong period follow a model first developed during the Jiajing and Wanli periods. Compare for example a box carved with confronting dragons in the Palace Museum Beijing, illustrated in Carved Lacquer in the Collection of the Palace Museum, The Palace Museum, Beijing, 1964, cat.no.207. Both the gilt-bronze handles and the latch on the present box closely resemble the Jiajing original, which may suggest that the 18^th century example was copied from there.

Lacquer boxes of this type are very rare indeed, but a very similar one was sold in these rooms 25th April 2004, lot 20.  Another comparable example with a dragon and phoenix design was sold in Christie's Imperial sale, Hong Kong, 27^th April 1997, lot 33. Document boxes were also occasionally made out of zitan, another favourite material used at the court, and similarly fitted with gilt-bronze handles, such as a box in the Palace Museum Beijing, illustrated in Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II) ¡V The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002, cat.no.235.