十八世紀 剔紅「嬰戲圖」八方蓋盒

of octagonal form with bombé sides supported on a splayed foot of conforming section, deftly carved through layers of rich cinnabar lacquer, the top of the cover with five boys playfully fighting for a helmet in a fenced garden below a lychee tree, surrounded around the sides by barbed panels enclosing different scenes of boys at play, either racing on hobby horses, flying a kite, playing hide-and-seek or pestering a crab on the floor, all set on a rocky promontory figured with floral diapers above jagged rocks, the raised rims decorated with sprays of camellia reserved on an ochre-yellow lacquer ground, the base similarly decorated with barbed panels enclosing composite floral sprays, including chrysanthemum and camellia, and further camellia heads around the foot, the interior and the base lacquered in black, the latter incised with an apocryphal Wanli Yiwei date

There is some typical old retouching or re-lacquering along the edges, predominantly on the foot, but also on border of the octagonal medallion on top as well as on the corners of the rim. There are a few chips to the floral diapers ground within the floral cartouches around the base. There are some light crackles along the angles on the interior. Overall however the box remains in very good condition.
"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."