A 'HUANGHUALI' INLAID SCROLL BOX LATE MING – EARLY QING DYNASTY

of rectangular section, the cushion-shaped cover finely inlaid with mother-of-pearl and burl wood with an upright scene depicting a bird perched on a long gnarled branch bearing magnolia buds and blossoms, the scene further decorated with prunus branches and bamboo shoots near the lower section

In Pursuit of Antiquities: 40th Anniversary Exhibition of the Min Chiu Society, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 2001, pp. 332-333.
The Dr S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, The Macao Museum of Art, Macau, 2003.
Grace Wu Bruce, Feast by a wine table reclining on a couch: The Dr S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture III, Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2007, pp. 168-169.

Grace Wu Bruce, Ming Furniture, Selections from Hong Kong & London Gallery, Hong Kong, 2000, pp. 58-59.

Good overall condition. As expected of an inlaid work of this fragility, there are minor losses to the mother-of-pearl design, especially the tip of the bird's tail. Age cracks and minute chips to the boxwood inlays. Consolidation to the reverse left tip of the cover. On the box there are minor chips to the flange and scratching to the underside.
"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."

Inlay of precious material, especially mother-of-pearl on lacquer, has long been an established craft in China, with many extant examples of the Yuan and Ming dynasties, but the technique applied to hard wood furniture was deemed to be perfected in the late Ming by the master craftsman Zhou Zhu from Yangzhou and this group of furniture is known as Zhou zhi ('made by Zhou').