清乾隆 紫檀嵌百寶輦式三層套盒

of rectangular section, the zitan cart constructed of boxes layered on two tiers and supported on four pierced wheels inlaid with silver-wire, the shorter sides of the boxes inlaid with boxwood stripes stained to two colours within a gilt-bronze border, the longer sides of the box similarly inlaid with borders of gilt-bronze enclosing angular scrollwork flanking a meticulously arranged and densely embellished design of auspicious fruits and flowers issuing from vines with their corresponding leaves, carved in relief from a profusion of materials including jade, mother of pearl, agate and soapstone to depict colourful clusters of persimmon, melon, peach, finger-citron, lychee, pomegranate, bitter melon, double gourd, chrysanthemum, rose, peony and camellia, surmounted by a removable tray with a reticulated frieze and everted border containing five interlocking boxes and covers all raised on bracket feet, the covers decorated in various materials with fruits and flowers amidst curling leafy vines all within gilt-bronze borders

傳 John Sparks Ltd.，倫敦

The carriage is preserved overall in good condition. As expected of a work of art of complexity and fragility, some of the embellishments have been broken off over time and carefully refixed. There are minor areas where the decoration have been made up, notably the Jade key-fret element that borders the design. Some of the areas of the fragile carved wood design have been strengthened and glued.
"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."

Exquisitely inlaid with precious hardstones to depict clusters of fruits and flowers, elaborate zitan boxes of this type are rare and would have enjoyed a place of prestige in an elegant scholar’s studio. While no other closely related box appears to have been published, a cabinet inlaid with a closely related motif, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2007, pl. 248; and another was sold in these rooms, 8th October 2006, lot 1087. Compare also a zitan box of this form, inlaid with a different motif of floral sprays, sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 1997, lot 399, and in our Paris rooms, 12th December 2013, lot 75.

Cart-shaped boxes are also known carved in lacquer, such as one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Carved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, 1971, pl. 41; another in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Gugong bowuyuan cang. Diaoqi [Carved Lacquer in the Palace Museum], Beijing, 1985, pl. 361; and a third from the collection of Her Majesty the Queen, Buckingham Palace, included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 2334. See also a cinnabar lacquer cart sold in our London rooms, 9th November 2005, lot 252, and currently on offer in Emperors' Playthings – A Connoisseur's Collection, lot 3012.