Diameter: 2 7/8 inches, 7.2 cm
Height: 1 1/2 inches, 3.8 cm

30-lacquer-box-1

Lacquer box with double gourds

China, 18th century

A cinnabar lacquer box of circular form with a flat-topped sleeve cover.  The top is carved through layers of red and ochre lacquer with a decoration of double gourds, suspended from flowery branches, with some traces of green paint remaining.  The ground consists of diapers with central wan characters.  The sides of the cover are carved with interlocking wan pattern.  The base of the box is engraved with foliate scrolls and chrysanthemum petals, surrounding a central Shou character. The interior is covered in a layer of black lacquer.

This decoration rarely occurs on 18th century lacquer. The double or bottle gourd (hulu) is an important auspicious symbol in Chinese art, with many meanings. It symbolizes fertility and stands for ‘ceaseless generations of descendants’ and blessings.[1]  The decoration of bottle gourds on a vine (huluman) signifies: ‘May you have numerous descendants’.[2]

Provenance:
Ben Janssens Oriental Art, February 2020
Private Collection, UK

1    Tse Bartholomew, T. Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, 3.3, p. 61
2    Tse Bartholomew, T. op.cit., 3.3.1, p. 61

清/双色剔红葫芦纹盒

葫芦在中文中谐音“福禄”,在中国传统文化中是吉祥财富的象征。此盒总体髹红漆,仅盒盖以黄漆雕万字纹为地。黄地万字纹上又雕以红漆葫芦三只,间以花卉。葫芦表面均以锦地纹装饰。盒身一周以雕以红漆万字纹为装饰。