30.5 cm. （12 in.） diam.

Provenance：
A Japanese Private Collection
Acquired by the current owner from Kyushu, Japan,
in the early 1990s

The present lot is a testament to the highest quality lacquerwork of the Qianlong period, showcasing three colours of thickly layered and deeply carved workmanship capable of fully projecting a three-dimensional visual effect and a sense of movement through precise knifework and masterful execution. Carefully worked through multiple layers of red, black and yellow lacquer, the main circular cartouche bears the auspicious character chun enclosing the figure of Shoulao, God of Longevity, bestowing the recipient of the box blessings of never-ending youthfulness and everlasting life.
The design of the present lot was not indigenous to the Qianlong period, but was the emperor’s attempt in drawing inspiration from the past or fanggu； it follows related ‘spring’ lacquer boxes and covers first produced during the Jiajing period. For an example in the Qing Court Collection, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2006, pl.134. Qianlong period examples can be also found in museum collections, see an example also in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Ware of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 2006, pl.61； another in the National Palace Museum, illustrated by Lin Mun-lee, Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors： Treasured Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, pl.137.

This present lot belongs to a special group of rare Imperial lacquerwares bestowed with an official ‘name’ other than being marked with an Imperial mark. The Qianlong emperor specifically oversaw the production of these court lacquer wares, with particular reference to cinnabar lacquer boxes and covers with dual Imperial marks. According to the archives of the lacquer workshop in the Imperial Palace Workshops, a number of specifically carved lacquer ‘treasure boxes’ or baohe were produced by order of the Qianlong emperor during his reign between 1771 and 1775, with specially inscribed four-character ‘names’ as well as the Imperial reign marks. For examples see op.cit., p.117. The added marks on a ‘named’ lacquerware with dual Imperial marks no doubt represent a higher status and appreciation in the eyes of the emperor.

Resplendent Craftsmanship-Imperial Works Of Art From The Qianlong Reign （Lots 376-384）

Price estimate:
HKD: 1, 200, 000 - 1, 800, 000
USD: 153, 800 - 230, 800

Auction Result:
HKD: 1,416,000