Page 121 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art November 2018

226
A RARE AND LARGE CARVED THREE-COLOUR CINNABAR Intricately carved with a complex design of nine dynamic dragons
striding in pursuit of flaming pearls, the present piece reveals the
LACQUER ‘NINE DRAGON’ BOX AND COVER
Qianlong opulent taste of the Qianlong emperor and the zenith of lacquer
Exquisitely carved in various levels of relief with a five-clawed dragon carving achieved during his reign. Rendered with ferocious
to the top of the cover, pursuing a flaming pearl amongst swirling expressions, gaping jaws that reveal sharp fangs, bulbous eyes and
clouds, within a key-fret and lappet border, above a wide band of flaring nostrils, the muscular dragons thrash through the clouds to
further dragons pursuing flaming pearls above a key-fret band, the box create a brilliant scene of intense strength and energy. Moreover the
similarly carved with dragons above breaking waves, all on a yellow deep carving and use of three contrasting colours accentuates the
ground, the base and interior lacquered black. sense of movement and three-dimensionality.
28.5cm (11 1/4in) diam. (2).
Boxes of this quality and carved with this motif were produced at the
Lacquer Workshops of the Zaobanchu (Imperial Palace Workshop),
£8,000 - 12,000 located in the Forbidden City. A smaller box of this type in the
CNY72,000 - 110,000 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is illustrated in East Asian
Lacquer: The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, New York, 1991,
清乾隆 剔彩九龍戲珠紋捧盒 p.108, pl.108.

Provenance: an English private collection; according to the owner, Compare with a very similar three-colour ‘nine dragon’ cinnabar
acquired circa 1920’s, and thence by descent lacquer box and cover, Qianlong mark and of the period, which was
sold at Sotheby’s London, 8 November 2017, lot 49.
來源： 英國私人收藏，據傳購自1920年代，並由後人保存迄今

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. FINE CHINESE ART | 117