Page 146 - Bonhams FINE CHINESE ART London November 2 2021

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A RARE CINNABAR LACQUER CARVED THREE-TIERED The double-lozenge, also known as fang sheng 方勝, is one of the
DOUBLE-LOZENGE-SHAPED BOX, COVER AND STAND Eight Treasures, babao 八寶, which was a much favoured design used
Qianlong in decorations during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Lozenge-shaped
The cover meticulously carved with two five-clawed writhing dragons lacquer examples first appeared in Ming dynasty; see for example a
in pursuit of a flaming pearl in the form of a stylised Shou character, qiangjin polychrome and gilt-lacquer lozenge-shaped box and cover,
on a ground of swirling waves, all within key-fret borders, the straight Jiajing mark and period, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection
sides of the boxes and cover decorated with six cartouches enclosing of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Yuan and
various antiques and scholar’s objects, divided by leafy blooming Ming Dynasties, Shanghai, 2006, no.151. The inspiration from previous
lotus, the interior and base covered with black lacquer, with a cinnabar generations was in line with the Qianlong Emperor’s instructions to his
lacquer stand supported on six ruyi-shaped feet. Court and craftsmen to look to China’s past for moral guidance and
31cm (12 1/8in) wide. (5). artistic inspiration.

£8,000 - 12,000 A similar double-lozenge shaped cinnabar lacquer tiered box and
CNY71,000 - 110,000 cover, Qianlong, decorated with dragons pursuing a Shou pearl of
wisdom on the cover, and ‘Precious Objects’ around the sides, is in
清乾隆 剔紅雕博古圖龍紋方勝式多層蓋盒 the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei (museum no.Gu-
Qi-000261N000000000). See also a related cinnabar lacquer lozenge-
shaped box and cover, 18th century, in the National Palace Museum,
Taipei, illustrated in Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors-Treasured
Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, no.152.

Image courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.