A RARE TIXI LACQUER ‘BUDDHIST LION’ BOX AND COVER SONG/YUAN DYNASTY

of circular form, the flat top carved through the black and red layers to the ochre ground with two Buddhist lions amongst stylised clouds, clasping in their mouths the ends of the ribbons tied to the brocade ball in the centre, the sides of the cover and the box encircled with keyfret bands, the interior and base lacquered black

The box has overall age cracks, as consistent of age. There is a circa 8cm crack (visible on both sides) to one side of the cover that has been painted over in black. The box has a circa 4.5cm crack running from the base to one side of the box. There are patches of minor bubbling to the underside of the cover (predominantly across an area of 6 x 6cm in the middle). The rims of the cover and the box and the foot have extensive areas of loss. There are other minor chips and areas of flake and loss across the surface. There are overall surface scratches, predominantly on the reverse and the longest measuring 16cm, and signs of surface wear near the rims revealing the red lacquer underneath.
"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."

It is rare to find lacquer boxes of this early attribution, and the present piece is especially fine for its detailed carving and well preserved condition. See a smaller box decorated with the same motif of a pair of Buddhist lions playing with a brocade ball, but attributed to the early 15th century, illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Craved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 2; and another in the British Museum, London, published in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, pl. 40. The British Museum box is similarly attributed to the Ming dynasty. A third related box carved with four Buddhist lions, from the Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, was included in the exhibition Carved Lacquer, The Tokugawa Art Museum, Tokyo, 1984, cat. no. 182.

The motif of Buddhist lions playing with a large brocade beribboned ball may also be found on porcelain of the period; for example, see a dish in the Linden Museum, Linden, illustrated in Im Zeichen des Drachen, Linden, 2006, p. 138, pl. 57.