A LARGE CIRCULAR CLOISONNE ENAMEL BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a circular cover, the upper face with a retreat in a mountainous landscape with trees, set within a thin band of lappets, above shaped bands of chrysanthemum, prunus, lotus and peony flanked by chrysanthemum, the exterior base similarly decorated, the interior base and cover unusually decorated with a large central roundel of stylised lotus, below a band of prunus and bamboo leaves on a cracked-ice ground

This box is in good condition, but there is a 2cm by 1.5cm area of enamel repair to the cover at 1 o'clock and also some areas of minor enamel loss and minor repair to the cover. There are some scratches to the upper surface of the cover and some rubbing to the gilding to the rims of the box and cover and to the footrim.
"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."

This vibrant box encapsulates the brilliant creativity of Qing craftsmen, in their ability to create harmonious contrasts through the juxtaposition of different decorative motifs. The elegant curling leaves on the interior create a striking visual contrast with the angular lines of the ‘cracked ice’ design, while the floral cartouches on the sides of the exterior frame a vast landscape on the cover. The striking use of cobalt blue and white in depicting the waters and mountains both heighten the sense of drama while drawing attention to the scene. This box is the product of a renewed interest and development of cloisonné enamel in the 18th century, which enabled its production to achieve new heights. The technical mastery and significant broadening of the palette to more than twenty opaque colours, many of which are seen on this box, enabled craftsmen to compose designs that were innovative and suited to the extravagant taste of the time.

Large boxes of this form and enamelled on the sides with floral cartouches are more commonly known decorated on the cover with animals, such as two boxes, illustrated in Gunhild Gabbert Avitabile, Die Ware aus dem Teufelsland, Hannover, 1981, pls 61 and 62, respectively from the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, and the Civiche Raccolte d’Arte Applicata, Castello Sforzesco, Milan; two boxes sold in these rooms, the first, 30th May 1961, lot 421, and the second, 14th October 1975, lot 217; another sold at Christie’s London, 16th November 1981, and again in our Paris rooms, 12th June 2013, lot 42; and a further box sold twice at Christie’s Hong Kong, 26th April 1998, lot 559, and 1st December 2009, lot 1947.

The floral cartouches on this box represent the four seasons, with the blossoming peony (fuguihua) symbolic of spring, the lotus (he) of summer, the chrysanthemum (juhua) of autumn, while the plum blossoms (mei) of winter.