明十五世紀 剔紅葵花紋蓋盒 《大明永樂年製》款

the domed cover and the box crisply carved with flower blooms wreathed in dense foliage, the interior and the recessed base lacquered reddish-brown, the base incised with a Yongle mark

There is some retouching on the lacquer to the cover rim as well as on some of the leaves, further retouching showing on the interior of the cover, on a vertical crackle across the interior of the box that has been secured, as well as on the raised interior rim which has been relacquered.
"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."

Lacquer boxes of this small delicate size were generally used for keeping rouge or as incense box to hold aromatic pellets and pieces of scented wood. The attractive floral carving also suggests that it was probably made for a lady to be used in her chamber. A similar example is preserved in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Masterpieces of Chinese Lacquer Ware, Taipei, 1971, pl. 18. Another similar box from the Baoyizhai Collection of Chinese Lacquer sold in these rooms, 8th April 2014, lot 34.