A LARGE GILT-LACQUER 'SHOU' BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

finely constructed in the form of a large wan character, decorated in shades of gilt with twenty-three 'shou' characters, all surrounded by pairs of stylised chilong, interspersed with scrolling clouds, all framed within borders of key fret scroll, the sides of the box and cover decorated with two registers of shou characters, all against a floral diaper ground, the interior lacquered brown, the underside black.

The box and cover are generally in good condition. There are typical age cracks throughout, and bruises at the flanges and fragile extremities.
"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 closely related box, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 2006, pl. 123. See three further similar boxes also in the Palace Museum; one illustrated ibid., 124; and two published in Anthology of Chinese Lacquer, vol. 6, Fuzhou, 1993, pls 55 and 56.

This box is steeped in auspicious symbolism. The combination of a round shou character and a wan character creates the wish wanshou (ten thousand longevities).