Ensemble de cinq boîtes en laque rouge sculptée Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

composé de quatre boîtes à décor de trois chauves-souris dans des rinceaux fleuris encadrant une boîte rectangulaire centrale décorée d'un caractère shou entouré par cinq chauves-souris et des fleurs de lotus dans des rinceaux stylisés, les côtés agrémentés de fleurettes géométriques, l'intérieur laqué noir, socle en bois sculpté et supports recouverts de tissus brodés ; petits manques et accidents (12)

Formerly in the collection of M. Jean Auburtin (1872-1924), colonial doctor in the early 1900s. Thence by descent in the family.

Some accidents with associated losses of lacquer especially to the corners and edges of the boxes ; the main one on the corner of the central box ; some tiny flakes to the inside rim of the boxes and one 5mm chip to the inner rim inside one corner box ; some losses to the central shou character ; areas of lacquer stabilized ; the silk of the stand with tears and wears ; the upper part of the wood stand has been re-stuck ; the stand has been broken and re-glued in some places.
"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."

These five boxes are the upper part of these very rare lacquer 'chariot' form cabinets. A very similar two-tiered cinnabar lacquer box formerly in the Qing Court Collection, is illustrated in Special Exhibition of Palace Lacquer Objects, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1981, cat.no. 58. Another example in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Gugong bowuyuan cang diaoqi, Beijing, 1985, no. 361. A third example of this form was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8 April 2011, lot 2811.