A FINE AND RARE CARVED POLYCHROME LACQUER 'IMMORTALS' BOX AND COVER QIANLONG MARK AND PERIOD

of hexalobed form, the domed cover with a central hexalobed medallion and with six further medallions repeated on the sides, each intricately carved in various levels of relief to reveal the layers of red, ochre and green lacquer with a scholar accompanied by one or more attendants in various leisurely pursuits in different garden settings, the box similarly decorated with six panels each featuring scholars in landscape settings, all reserved on a diaper ground within a keyfret band, the interior and base lacquered black, the cover incised and gilt with the six characters Da Qing Qianlong nian zhi, the four characters ji shou bao he incised and gilt to the center of the inside box (2)

The cover: one of the heads of an attendant figure featured in a cartouche on the side panel has been reglued, and portions of the face chipped. The keyfret border on the rim with some repainting of cracks. The interior with an approximately 2 inch very fine crack running across the top two characters. The box: the rim with repainting including an approximately 2 1/2 inch area a restored chip or crack.
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.

It is rare to find polychrome lacquer boxes of the Qianlong period and even rarer to find a titled and dated example. This large and well-carved three-color lacquer box is very similar in size and decoration to one bearing the same Qianlong mark and title formerly in the National Palace Museum Collection, illustrated in Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colours. Treasured Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2007, p. 121, fig. 108.