Boîte couverte en porcelaine bleu blanc et rouge de cuivre Chine, dynastie Ming, époque Wanli (1573-1620)

de forme rectangulaire reposant sur quatre pieds découpés, le couvercle décoré d'un cartouche polylobé abritant daims et grues dans un paysage planté de pins en réserve sur fond géométrique entouré d'une bande de grues, nuages stylisés et trigrammes, la boîte à décor d'oiseaux sur des branches fleuries chargées de pêches de longévité, les bords soulignés d'une frise d'entrelacs ; restaurations, petites égrenures

This extremely rare box and cover are in good overall condition with the exception of restoration to a 11 x 3cm., section of the interior of one side of the box; over-painting to the interior and exterior of one corner of the box (extending the depth of the corner and extending 7cm into the interior of the base); minor frits and nibbles at the rim of the box and characteristic minor glaze firing imperfections including iron-spots, burst bubbles and a 5mm blister to the top of the cover.
"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."

Although boxes of this form are well known from the Wanli period, the present covered box is most unusual for the added copper-red over a complete underglaze-blue design. No other similar box appears to be published, although this decorative technique was also applied on a Wanli mark and period bowl published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze-Red (II), Shanghai, 2000, pl. 221, where some the clothes worn by the children are painted in copper-red over the blue.

The decoration of 'pine and deer' on the cover of the present piece is also rare, although the same design can be found on a Wanli mark and period circular box, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated ibid., pl. 182.