A CINNABAR LACQUER 'CHYSANTHEMUM' BOX AND COVER SONG DYNASTY |

of circular form, carved through layers of cinnabar-red lacquer revealing an ochre-yellow ground, the domed cover depicting two large chrysanthemum blooms, attendant florets and buds borne on a lush of leafy stems, the sides of the box encircled by further leaves and floral buds, the interior and base lacquered black. the interior and base lacquered black

See a larger Southern Song black lacquer box and cover carved with a similar design, illustrated in Sō Gen no bi. Denrai no shikki o chūshin/The Colors and Forms of Song and Yuan China. Featuring Lacquerwares, Ceramics and Metalwares, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, 2004, cat. no. 106.