A CINNABAR LACQUER 'LION' BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of compressed globular form, the cover deeply and meticulously carved with three frolicking fu lions, the mythical beasts animatedly depicted with long-haired coats and bushy tails, all reserved on a dense ground of fine rolling waves, the foot encircled with key-fret, the interior and base lacquered in black

The overall condition is quite good. There are several vertical age cracks to the lacquer issuing from the cover rim, including a 6 cm forked crack secured with light touch up. There is some crackles on the interior with a few losses to the black lacquer. There is some retouching to the rims and a few dents on the footring.
"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 belongs to a small group of objects carved with lively scenes of dragons, lions or mythical creatures amidst tumultuous waves; for example see a box in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Zhongguo qiqi quanji [Complete series on Chinese lacquer], vol. 6, Fuzhou, 1993, pl. 206. A related box, in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, is included in Hai-wai yi-chen. Chinese Art in Overseas Collection. Lacquerware, Taipei, 1987, pl. 154; and one from a private collection is illustrated in Derek Clifford, Chinese Carved Lacquer, London, 1992, p. 131, pl. 105, where the author notes that ‘there are eleven examples of this type of scene in Beijing… and four in Taipei…’. Another cylindrical box was sold in these rooms, 4^th April 2012, lot 3150.

For the inspiration of this design, see a Xuande lotus-leaf form dish carved with two mythical beasts on an elaborate wave background, in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, published op. cit., pl. 45.