A MASSIVE PAIR OF CINNABAR LACQUER BOXES AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

each of compressed globular form, well carved to the cover with a medallion enclosing four scholars seated at a table in a garden with their attendants around them,  the sides and base carved with birds amidst scrolling flowers and foliage 

Collection of Sir Thomas Fermor Hesketh 8th Bt., later 1st Baron Hesketh (1881-1944).

Sotheby's, Easton Neston, 18th May 2005, lot 754.

Archibald Philips and Frederick Litchfield, 'Notable Collections. The Fermor Hesketh Collection', The Connoisseur, 1919, vol. LV, no. 217, p. 39.

The boxes and covers are in very good overall condition with the exception of some minor hairline age cracks (17cm., and 7cm., long to one, 8cm. long to the other) to the covers of both, minor hairline age cracks, lacquer flakes and crazing to the rims of both boxes and covers and light refreshing to the black lacquer rims, and light rubbing to the lacquer surface to the base of the boxes.
"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."

These boxes are remarkable and extremely rare for their impressive size and no other example of these large proportions appear to have been published. The characteristic 'mirror' composition, where the compositional balance on one box echoes the other, the identical borders of birds amidst foliage and the consistent quality of carving suggest that the boxes were originally conceived as a set. Most lacquer boxes were designed as pairs but very few have remained together.

A related circular box of slightly smaller size showing scholars and attendants in a landscape, but with the bajixiang emblems and sanduo fruits carved on the sides was sold in our New York rooms, 21^st November 1974, lot 389; and another was sold in these rooms, 24^th February 1976, lot 74, and again, 10^th December 1980, lot 246.

The bird and flower scheme decorating the sides of the present boxes was popular on carved lacquerware of the Ming dynasty; for example, see a cylindrical box, also carved with a figure scene on the cover, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Carved Lacquer in the Palace Museum, Beijing, 1985, pl. 251.