清乾隆 剔紅雕漆「瑞獅戲球」圖多寶格箱

of rectangular form supported on four 'L'-shaped feet, the removable panelled door deftly carved and incised in high relief through the rich cinnabar lacquer with a central panel enclosing three Buddhist lions frolicking amidst flames around a beribboned ball, the mythical felines detailed with long-haired manes, bushy tails and sharp fangs within a raised border of key-fret repeated along the sides, all reserved on a floral-diaper ground, the top, sides and reverse similarly decorated with one or two Buddhist lions frolicking around a beribboned ball, the cover set with a gilt-bronze lock and pull in the form of a bat, opening to reveal a partition of three drawers and two compartments surrounding a central square alcove, the top fitted with a square hinged gilt-metal double handle engraved with key-fret and phoenix head-terminals, the interior and the base lacquered in black

The cabinet is overall in fairly good condition. There is an old restored chip to the upper right corner of the box. There is some relacquering in areas on the lower rail, and expected flakes and wear where the pegs of the front door fit in the box. There are also some restored bruises to the upper right corners of the opening front door (showing on the illustration in the catalogue) and a few small restored chips along the raised key-fret border of the border. There are further minor minute dents and typical stabilized age crackling along the raised key-fret frames on the top, sides and back panels. The actual colour is consistent with the catalogue illustration.
"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."

此類提匣造型應始自明代，極盛於乾隆朝。多作儲物之用，凡古董小品、文房四寶、五色丹藥及玉石珠寶等，皆可入匣。相類乾隆剔紅例，見有不同造型及尺寸，可比較一件海水九龍圖例，錄於《故宮雕漆器選粹》，台北，1971年，圖版35。另比一件倭角箱，裝納整套茶道器具，售於香港佳士得1998年4月26日，編號565。

明嘉靖時期原型例，飾以松樹盤成「壽」字，見一器藏於北京故宮博物院，錄於《清代宮廷包裝藝術》，故宮博物院，北京，2000年，編號29。