元 / 明 剔犀卷草紋圓蓋盒

of circular form, the cover and sides of the box deeply carved through the alternating layers of red, black, green and yellow lacquer with ruyi scrolls, the interiors and base applied with plain black lacquer, Japanese wood box (3)

日本私人收藏

In excellent general condition, with a network of characteristic cracks to the lacquer to the base, numerous small shallow chips and flakes to the lacquer to inner rim and several faint cracks to the lacquer of the box. The cover with four faint rim cracks. The recessed of the carved lacquer with some surface encrustation, as seen in catalog image.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The carved design on the current box, known as tixi or the Japanese term, guri (curves and circles), was a pattern established towards the end of the Song dynasty.  The design on the current box, where the geometric design is made up mainly of detached ruyi motifs gained popularity from the Yuan dynasty onwards. 

See two tixi lacquer boxes, also dated Yuan/Ming dynasty, of similar form and closely related design, one in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, published in Hai-wai Yi-chen. Chinese Art in Overseas Collections. Lacquerware, Taipei, 1987, pl. 73; and the other included in the exhibition East Asian Lacquer. The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1991, cat. no. 11. 

Compare the tixi lacquer box and cover sold in our London rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 68; and another, of larger size (8 3/8 in., 21.3 cm), sold in these rooms, 16th-17th September 2014, lot 546.