A RARE 'TIXI' LACQUER BOX AND COVER MING DYNASTY, YONGLE PERIOD

of circular section with a flattened top, the upper surface of the cover deeply carved with fluid swirling classic scrolls extending down the sides revealing alternating layers of red, black and yellow lacquers, the sides of the box similarly carved, the interiors and recessed base lacquered black, the base incised with a three-character mark reading Yang Mao zao (made by Yang Mao), Japanese wood box (3)

Christie's Hong Kong, 30th April 2001, lot 642.

In overall good condition but with a crack to the carved lacquer near the rim of the cover (approx. 2 cm), and another with an associated chip to the carved lacquer near the rim of the box (crack approx. 1 cm, chip approx. 1 x 2 mm). Otherwise, only expected wear, including fine cracks to the interiors and base, and some shallow scratches to the cross-sections of the carved lacquer. Minor expected damage to the rims: to the rim of the box, a chip (approx. 6 mm) and two areas of black-painted restoration (approx. 1 cm and 2 cm), and at the lid a 2.5-cm stroke of red-painted restoration near the crack.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The carved design on the current box, known as tixi or the Japanese term, guri (curves and circles), was a pattern established towards the end of the Song dynasty.  The design on the current box, where the geometric design is made up mainly of detached ruyi motifs gained popularity from the Yuan dynasty onwards. 

See two tixi lacquer boxes of similar form and closely related design, one in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, published in Hai-wai Yi-chen. Chinese Art in Overseas Collections. Lacquerware, Taipei, 1987, pl. 73; and the other included in the exhibition East Asian Lacquer. The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1991, cat. no. 11. 

Compare the tixi lacquer box and cover sold in our London rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 68; and another, of larger size (8 3/8  in., 21.3 cm), sold in these rooms, 16th-17th September 2014, lot 546.