Ruyi-form hardwood inlaid box

A ruyi-form box made from hardwood. Both the box and its cover are inlaid all the way round with fine silver wire. The lower rim of the lid and upper rim of the box have a key fret design band, while the areas on either side of the rims are decorated with a delicate design of archaistic tatoie masks. The flat top of the lid is formed by a raised flat panel, which is inlaid with pieces of wood, soapstone, chalcedony, crystal, wood and shell to form a design in relief of flowers, lingzhi and a small butterfly.

•  The design technique of inlaying fine threads of silver onto a surface material derives from the Song period (976•1279), when bronzes were often decorated in this manner.1 The decorative work applied to this box is reminiscent of the Ming dynasty metal smith Shisou, who specialised in making inlaid bronzes.2 An interesting aspect of this box is perhaps the combination of delicate inlaid silver design, coupled with the more defined relief pattern on top of the lid. In addition to its ruyi shape, aspects of the decoration on the lid of the box suggest that it was perhaps presented as a gift and wish for long life. For instance the foshou hanging from the end of the branch, otherwise known as Buddha’s Hand Citron, is associated with blessings for longevity and the lingzhi is known as the fungus of immortality.3

1 Fahr-Becker, G. eds. The Art of East Asia, Könemann, Cologne, 1999, p. 202
2 Ribeiro, S. Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Communication Art & Design Printing, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 78
3 Tse Bartholomew, T. Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, pp. 30, 31, 187