A CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER FOUR-TIERED BOX AND COVER 16TH/ 17TH CENTURY

of square section with chamfered corners, the cover carved with a scholar and acolytes in a lakeside landscape with pine trees and a pavilion, the sides carved with a composite floral band, all supported on an apron-shaped foot  with stylised ruyi scrolls, the interior and base lacquered black

Collection of Viscount Naonori Matsudaira (1869-1931).

Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo (prior to 1930, according to museum label).

The box is in reasonably good condition with the exception of chips and nicks to the chamfered corners between the tiers: The cover has a 2cm crack to the body with associated flakes visible from the exterior, several chips to the black lacquer particularly to the chamfered corners ranging from 0.5cm to 1cm, and other light cracks with the longest measuring circa 7cm. One tier has a V-shaped loss of lacquer measuring 1.5cm across by 0.7cm down to the interior of one side, the base has a triangular 0.8cm x 0.3cm chip and very minor nibbles with associated short cracks. The other tier has a circa 2cm crack to the body running along one of the chamfered corners visible from the exterior with other associated adjacent cracks (circa 0.5cm), but is in otherwise good condition aside from very minor nicks and associated short cracks to the edges. The interior of the tier shows extensive minor short hairlines running parallel to one another. Another tier shows several triangular chips (circa 0.9 x 0.3cm) and nicks (0.2 x 0.1cm) to the lacquer particularly to its base and corners, and several circa 1.2cm cracks running vertically along the four corners. The base has a 1cm x 0.3cm loss to the lacquer on one of the corners revealing the buff body underneath with associated cracks measuring circa 1cm, the base has small nicks with further cracking and associated flakes.
"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."

The present box is a fine example of careful carving and serene design. The theme of scholars in a pavilion setting was a popular subject on lacquer wares from the early Ming dynasty and closely follow fan paintings, such as 'Waiting for Guests by Lamplight' by the Song painter Ma Lin (1194-1264), illustrated in Mary Tregear, Chinese Art, London, 1980, pl. 102.

Related boxes include one in the Palace Museum published in 200 Objects You Should Know: Carved Lacquer Ware, Beijing, 2008, pl. 56; another from the collection of Dr Ip Yee sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19^th November 1984, lot 115; two sold at Christie's London, 14^th December 1983, lot 66, and 14^th December 1983, lot 8; and a three-tiered example from the Edward T. Chow collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 3rd/4th May 1994, lot 293, and again at Christie's New York, 20^th September 2005, lot 101. Comparable four-tiered boxes include two petal-lobed examples sold in these rooms, one from the Krolik collection, 24^th February 1970, lot 80, and the other, 9^th December 1986, lot 31; and two square boxes, one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 15^th November 1989, lot 551, and the other at Christie's New York, 19^th March 2008, lot 346.