A RARE IMPERIAL CINNABAR LACQUER THREE-TIERED SCHOLAR'S BOX AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the intricately-carved composite structure assembled as an orderly stack of three scroll boxes adjacent to a small book wrapped in a slipcase above two books, all resting atop a double-square album, the cinnabar carved in exquisite detail, featuring small floret medallions of various floral and fruit sprays, with an accompanying design of lush peony, prunus, melon and lotus sprays, reserved against a diverse array of diaper grounds, inlaid with carved ivory on the ends of the objects in imitation of leaves of paper, the interior and base lacquered black (6)

Overall, the box shows some very minor areas of loss to the lacquer along the rims and edges of the design. The square box at the base: the black lacquer on the base shows traces of wear consistent with age and the rim has been repainted on the base. There are some tiny chips to the keyfret bands on the exterior and there is a crack running through the lacquer on the inside of the box. The second tier on top of the square base box: there are some minor losses to the lacquer on the exterior of the box, i.e. at the corners, the edges and to the keyfret bands, some of which have been roughly filled in and touched up. One of the white end on the top scroll cover on this part has broken out of its position in the past and has subsequently been reattached. One end of the cover of this particular top scroll has been bruised and as a result an approximately 1 1/2 by 1 in. circular piece has broken out of the side and was roughly reattached in its position. The cover of the rectangular book box shows some cracks on the corner of one end. There are also some minor areas of loss to the lacquer on the corners. The colour of the lacquer is slightly less saturated than the illustration suggests. The carving very fine.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A similarly constructed lacquer box is illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Carved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taibei, 1971, no. 40; a closely related three-tiered box with three scrolls set above a rectangular book from the Palace Museum collection, Beijing, was included in the exhibition, Qing Legacies: The Sumptuous Art of Imperial Packaging, Macau Museum of Art, 2000, p. 70, no. 2.