Arts d'Asie
Arts d'Asie
Belle boîte couverte en laque cinabre sculpté à décor de dragons Dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong | 清乾隆 剔紅遊龍趕珠紋圓蓋盒 | A carved red-lacquer circular 'dragon' box and cover, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period
Auction Closed
December 11, 04:16 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 EUR
Lot Details
Description
Belle boîte couverte en laque cinabre sculpté à décor de dragons Dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong
清乾隆 剔紅遊龍趕珠紋圓蓋盒
A carved red-lacquer circular 'dragon' box and cover, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period
de forme circulaire, le dessus du couvercle finement sculpté de trois dragons sinueux à cinq griffes pourchassant la perle enflammée sur fond de vagues tumultueuses, les bords reprenant le même décor de vagues, l'intérieur et le dessous laqués noir, l'intérieur doublé d'une boite couverte en metal amovible
(2)
18,5 cm, 7½ in.
18.5 公分，7½英寸
The dynamism and detail of the present piece reveals the opulent taste of the Qianlong Emperor and the zenith of lacquer carving achieved during his reign. Rendered with ferocious expressions, gaping jaws that reveal sharp fangs, bulbous eyes and flaring nostrils, the intricately modelled scaly bodies thrash through the waves to create a brilliant scene of intense strength and energy. Moreover, the combed lines of the turbulent water and crested waves provide a striking setting for the dragons.
Boxes of this type were possibly made in the Lacquer Workshops of the Zaobanchu (Imperial Palace Workshop) located in the Forbidden City. The same subject and style of carving can be found on several pieces preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, such as a lacquer box carved with dragons, illustrated in Zhongguo bowuyuan can diaoqi/Carved Lacquer in the Palace Museum, Beijing, 1985, pl. 311. See also a box of this form from carved with three mythical sea creatures amongst similar foaming waves, illustrated in ibid. pl. 275.
Two other lacquer boxes are preserved in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, and were included in the Museum's exhibition Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors, Treasured Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, cat. nos. 133 and 135.