AN UNUSUAL PAINTED LACQUER BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the flat circular cover painted in black, red and gold on a dark red ground with a central lozenge featuring four auspicious emblems, surrounded by a phoenix, bat, dragon and mythical bird between different flowers including a peony and morning glory issuing from leafy scroll, the sides of the cover and box finely painted with cranes alternating with fruiting peach branches, the inside of both box and cover covered with reddish-gold lacquer (2)

The box and cover were inspected under UV light and did not reveal fluoresence. There is some rubbing/flaking to the gilding, particularly on the prunus border along the exterior rims. Some losses to the black paint. The interiors with fine cracks following the circumference but they appear to have been stabilized. On the cover is a 4 1/2 inch semi-circular area on the rim that appears to have been bruised and within that a 2 1/4 inch repainted section.
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.

The finely yet boldly painted design on this box is related to a small group of painted lacquer pieces in the Imperial collection which are dated to the Qianlong or Jiaqing periods. Cranes and fruiting peach branches painted in thick gold, black and red pigments as on the present piece, appear, for instance, on a box in the Palace Museum, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Vol. 46, Hong Kong, 2006, p. 191, pl. 143.