A ZITAN BOX AND COVER LATE MING – EARLY QING DYNASTY

of rectangular form, the straight sides finely carved with a thin raised band along the rim, the cover with a similar thin raised band along the lower edge and hinged on the back of the box the front embellished with a circular metal lock plate set with a lobed ruyi-shaped clasp, the sides flanked by a pair of 'C'-shaped metal loop handles suspending from circular roundels, the corners and edges of the box decorated and reinforced with straight and ruyi-shaped metal mounts, the wood of a lustrous dark brown patina with characteristic gold flecks

The tone of the wood differs in places, especially between the cover and the box, as expected of such large pieces where the wood is made up of different sections. There is minor consolidation and areas of infilling, especially to the underside of the cover. As visible in the photo, the white metal mounts have been polished. The pin is missing. Two of the corner joins on the underside are also missing. There is general surface wear and minor scratches.
"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 piece represents a classic box design, which derived from coffers used to hold garments. Boxes of this type are often depicted in Ming dynasty woodblock illustrations, such as a large box and a slightly smaller one, illustrated in the scene Aunt Yang Angrily Curses Chang the Fourth, from a Chongzhen period edition of the novel Jin ping mei [The plum in the golden vase], illustrated in Sarah Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Berkley, 2001, fig. 15.23.

Three zitan boxes of similar proportions were sold in our New York rooms, one, 1st December 1992, lot 599; the other, 7th/8th April 1988, lot 383, and the third, 2nd June 1992, lot 292; and another, of slightly larger size, was sold in these rooms, 30th October 1991, lot 349. See also two huanghuali boxes of this type, the first illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Classic Chinese Furniture, London, 1986, pl. 151, and the second, from the collection of Robert H. Ellsworth, sold at Christie’s New York, 18th March 2015, lot 125.