A Large Gilt Cinnabar Lacquer Tiered Box and Cover with Stand Ryukyu Kingdom, 18th Century

of circular form and three-tiered sections, raised on a splayed base, all supported on a large circular stand with a flared hollow foot, masterfully decorated in the hakue technique with subtle painted highlights on a shu-urushi ground, the slightly raised top of the domed cover with a large peony surrounded by detached flower sprays among serrate leaves and scrolling tendrils, the straight rounded sides similarly decorated with detached blossoming sprays, all between raised rims and above a zig-zag border of combed waves around the foot, the interior lacquered in red, the stand decorated en suite with large peonies among foliate scrolls and curling tendrils

The box is in overall good condition and the gold leaves inlays have been well preserved considering its age. The painted gold leaves are sometimes rubbed in areas, in commensuration with age, including the central flower on the top of the cover. There is an approx. 5.5 by 1.5 cm chip to the cover rim that has been repaired, and further smaller chips which are now stabilized with red relacquering around the rim. The central tier has also been relacquered on the interior and the rim in order to conceal occasional dents or chips. There are some cracks to the lower rim of the central tier which have also been stabilized (showing on the catalogue photo). Similar red relacquering around the rim and the base can be seen on the lower tier of the box. The stand is also generally in good condition considering its age and the refinement of the material with some relacquering around the rim and patches of red lacquer to stabilize dents or age crackling on the top surface including an age crack visible across. The actual colour is consistent if not a little deeper, more crimson-red compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

GOLD-EMBELLISHED LACQUER

Chinkin and Hakue Lacquer of the Ryukyu Kingdom
Mr. Taishu Komatsu
Director, Akita Senshu Museum of Art

Another feature of Ryukyu lacquer art is the use of objects decorated with gold inlay (chinkin), or applied with gold leaves (hakue). The gold inlay technique uses an implement resembling a sharp needle to carve grooves into the surface of the lacquer layer and fill the grooves with gold leaf. This is a further refinement of the technique of inlaid gold decoration popular in China during the Yuan Dynasty. Ryukyu gold inlaid decoration is characterised by magnificent and brilliant detailed patterns on a vermillion-red lacquer base. The chinkin and hakue techniques, sometime used in combination, are here superbly demonstrated by the food box decorated with hidari-mitsudomoe (three left-facing whorls) crest and the cloud crest, the crests of the Sho clan, on a base finely engraved with an oblique lattice (Lot 943) and the food box and stand decorated with peony scrolls (Lot 940). A related tiered food box and stand of similar proportion, decorated in the gold-inlaid chinkin technique, is preserved in the Okinawa Prefectural Museum (fig. 1).