A RARE RETICULATED POLYCHROME LACQUER BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG |

of compressed globular shape supported on a short foot, the pierced domed cover brightly painted and enhanced with gilt, depicting in the central medallion a red flower and other smaller florets borne on a network of foliate scrolls and palmette leaves, all encircled by a brown-ground gilt key-fret band, the sides of the cover and the box similarly decorated with florets and leafy scrolls, bordered by brown-ground gilt trellis bands at the rims and foot, the interior gilt, the base applied with brown lacquer and finely painted with a leafy spray of succulent peaches below a gilt horizontal four-character reign mark

There are several insignificant shallow chips and nicks to the flanges of the box and cover, and the foot. Some typical age cracks and minor loss to the painting.
"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 luxuriantly decorated box and cover, skilfully reticulated with a design of flowers, foliate scrolls and palmette leaves, is a rare work of art encapsulating the Yongzheng court’s tendency towards innovation. The articulation of the succulent peaches on the base, suspended from leafy sprays, is reminiscent of that on a Yongzheng mark and period enamel box and cover from Alice Boney, illustrated in Fang Jing Pei et. al., Treasures of the Chinese Scholar, New York, 1997, fig. 108, and sold in these rooms, 7th October 2015, lot 3783. For a larger Yongzheng period gilded lacquer box of closely related form, but without reticulation, but decorated with similar foliate scrolls in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, see Harmony and Integrity. The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times, Taipei, 2009, cat. no. II-96. The same unusual Yongzheng four-character mark, written in a horizontal line, is also seen on enamelled works of art, including a black-ground box imitating Japanese inro, illustrated ibid., cat. no. II-92.