A FINELY CARVED LARGE POLYCHROME LACQUER 'DRAGON' BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG |

of square section, modelled with rounded sides resting on a short straight foot of corresponding form, the cover with a square cartouche accentuated cusped corners, enclosing a further lobed cartouche decorated with a ferocious five-clawed dragon coiling around a flaming pearl amidst ruyi cloud scrolls above rockwork and crashing waves, framed by the babao emblems amidst billowing wisps, surrounded by four panels of composite floral scrolls and a band of scrolling lingzhi, the sides of the box similarly rendered with a corresponding design, all skilfully and deeply carved through the red and green layers to the ochre ground, the interior and base lacquered black, the base further centred with an incised six-character reign mark filled with gilt