Opinion: Recent research into the dating of carved lacquer has put forward the suggestion that boxes of this type with double key-fret decoration on the rim and relatively large figures or landscape scenes with rock formations on the cover can be dated as early as the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). The strongest argument in favor of this early dating is the relatively recent discovery of a similar, somewhat larger box in a group of tombs near Shanghai that belonged to the Ren family, of which the latest was datable to 1351 and the earliest to 1338.

China, mid-14^th to 15^th century. Of lobed square form, the cover finely carved in relief with a potted bamboo on a scholar’s table, a plantain growing from rockwork behind a fence, and a two layered diaper ground, the upper layer with hexagons enclosing flowerheads, the lower layer of lozenge form. The sides of the cover and box with S-shaped key frets. The interior and base lacquered in black.

Provenance: From an English private collection.
Condition: Overall excellent condition, commensurate with age, and as expected for a cinnabar lacquer box of such high age. Old wear with an unctuous feel from centuries of handling, small age cracks, minute nicks and losses, shallow surface scratches. Beautiful, naturally grown patina.

Weight: 35.9 g
Dimensions: Size 5.5 x 5.5 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 2 October 2017, lot 215
Price: HKD 125,000 or approx. EUR 17,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A cinnabar lacquer ‘scholar on horseback’ circular box and cover, Ming dynasty, 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related S-shaped key-fret borders, two-tiered diapered ground, and manner of carving. Note the size (7.6 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1559
Price: HKD 96,000 or approx. EUR 18,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare finely carved cinnabar lacquer square incense box and cover, Ming Dynasty, 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the related key-fret borders, two-tiered diapered ground, and manner of carving. Note the size (6.6 cm).


元至明初剔犀小蓋盒
中國，十四世紀中期至十五世紀。方形倭角，盒蓋上錦地雕刻園中書桌上的盆栽，一旁假山芭蕉；盒蓋和和外壁為雷紋。盒內和底座上黑漆。

專家意見：根據近年對雕漆年代的研究，此類盒沿上的格紋，以及盒蓋上人物或較大的山水圖，最早可追溯到元代（1279-1368）。支持這種早期年代測定的最有力論據是最近在上海附近的元代任氏家族墓葬中發現了一個類似的、稍大的盒子，其中最晚的可追溯到 1351 年，最早可追溯到 1338 年。

來源：英國私人收藏。
品相：整體品相完好，細小的老化裂紋、微小的刻痕和缺損、表面淺劃痕，磨損。美麗的天然包漿。

重量：35.9 克
尺寸：5.5 x 5.5 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2017年10月2日，lot 215
價格：HKD 125,000（相當於今日EUR 17,000）
描述：明十六世紀剔紅高士策馬圖圓蓋盒
專家評論：比較非常相近的雷紋、兩種不同的紋地，以及雕刻風格。請注意尺寸(7.6 厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2007年5月29日，lot 1559
價格：HKD 96,000（相當於今日EUR 18,000）
描述：十六世紀剔犀蓋盒
專家評論：比較相近的雷紋、兩種不同的紋地，以及雕刻風格。請注意尺寸(6.6 厘米)。

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