Page 167 - Christie's Hong Kong Important Chinese Works Of Art May 30 2022

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
士紳珍藏
2898

A PAIR OF CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER 'SANDUO'
PEACH-FORM BOXES AND COVERS
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
Each box is intricately carved on the domed cover to depict pierced rocks amidst crushing
waves scattered with flowers and petals within a narrow border of overlapping prunus and
bamboo. The sides of the box and cover are carved with bats in flight among clusters of
large ripe peach, pomegranate and finger citron reserved on geometric grounds. The base
is formed by a peach-shaped panel of three further ripe fruits within a keyfret border. The
interiors are lacquered black.
7 in. (17.8 cm.) wide (2)
HK$150,000-250,000 US$20,000-32,000

The three types of fruiting branches are combined to form the ‘Three Abundances’, sanduo, and
together with the bats they form the rebus fushou sanduo and symbolise the wish for numerous
sons, a long life and blessings. In addition, the combination of the bats and the rock emerging from
the sea forms the additional rebus furu donghai, ‘May you be blessed by the mountain of longevity
and sea of blessings’. The symbolism on the boxes indicating perhaps, that these boxes would have
been intended as a birthday present for the Emperor.

清十八世紀 剔紅江崖海水三多紋桃式蓋盒一對

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