Page 214 - Christie's Fine Chiense Works of Art November 2018 London

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A CARVED THREE-COLOUR LACQUER ‘CHUN’ CIRCULAR BOX These impressive and exquisite lacquer ‘chun’ boxes made during the
AND COVER Qianlong reign were inspired by those made for the Ming dynasty emperor
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Jiajing (1522-1566), such as the one exhibited by the Hong Kong O.C.S. in
The centre of the cover is fnely carved through the red, dark green and ochre 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong
layers with a large chun (spring) character incorporating a roundel of Shoulao Kong, 24 September - 21 November 1993, pp. 120-1, no. 61. The Jiajing
and a deer fanked by two dragons emerging from clouds above multi-coloured
emperor was a devout Daoist, which gives rise to the imagery presented on
rays radiating from a basket of auspicious symbols. The sides of the box and
these boxes - the bowl of precious objects, the roundel of Shoulao, the God
cover are decorated with cartouches of scholars and attendants at various
of Longevity, and the large chun character. When pictured together this gives
pursuits alternating with auspicious emblems reserved on a diaper ground, all
the rebus wanshou changchun, which may be translated as ‘ten thousand
within decorative scrolling borders.
11æ in. (29.8 cm.) diam. birthdays and endless spring’, which is a wish for longevity and continuous
renewal.
£80,000-100,000 $110,000-130,000
€90,000-110,000
These boxes were so admired by the Qianlong Emperor that he ordered
many versions during his reign. Given their auspicious nature, they were
used to hold food presented as a ceremonial gift at the lunar new year or for
birthdays.
Compare similar slightly larger boxes, including one illustrated in
Masterpieces of Chinese Carved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace
Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 25, and those sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28
November 2006, lot 1705 and Christie’s Paris, 21-22 December 2016, lot
292.
清乾隆 剔彩春壽寶盒

212 Other fees apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of our Conditions of Sale at the back of this Catalogue