A HARDSTONE-INLAID LACQUER WRITING BOX AND COVER 17TH CENTURY

of rectangular section, the fitted cover finely inlaid on the black lacquer ground in various colours of soapstone, stained mother-of-pearl and bone with a Manchurian crane perched on a jagged rock, below a tall gnarled pine and above sprays of lotus, pomegranate, peaches and paulownia, another crane flying near a red sun in the distance, the sides similarly inlaid with a variety of flowers including camellia, peony, crab apple, hibiscus, cherry blossom, prunus, magnolia, chrysanthemum, peach and pomegranate, the interior divided into three compartments set above a drawer inlaid with butterflies and a shou character on the sides, all supported on a curvilinear base inlaid with chilong flanking a sprig of lingzhi, the base inscribed in red enamel with an apocryphal four-character Wanli mark

There are some losses and dents on the black lacquer ground and a couple of bruises at the corners. A few sections of inlay are restored or missing, but overall the box is in quite good overall condition.
"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."

A slightly later box of similar form, the cover luxuriously decorated with large figures, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 2006, pl. 180. Compare similarly inlaid hardwood boxes, such as two published in Selected Handicrafts from the Collections of the Palace Museum, Beijing, 1974, pls. 51 and 87; and another sold in these rooms, 15^th November 1983, lot 326.