A RARE IVORY LOBED BOX AND COVER

Yuan Dynasty

Yuan Dynasty
The box of lobed ovoid shape concealing a cylindrical interior, rising from a flat base to a waisted shoulder, finely carved with elaborate designs continuing into the cover of five shaped cartouches, each depicting a different blossoming flower amidst leafy vines, alternating with double ruyi designs over three vertical ridges, the domed cover with a flat top deeply carved with a central medallion depicting figures within a multi-gabled pavilions beneath a pine tree. 6cm (2 2/8in) high. (2).

元 象牙鏤雕山水紋蓋盒

Lobed boxes, such as the present example, were probably intended to store cosmetics, combs, hairpins, and other adornments. See a very similar six-lobed ivory box and cover, Yuan dynasty, illustrated by R.Kerr, Chinese Ivory Carvings: The Sir Victor Sassoon Collection, London, 2016, p.72, no.T107. See also another similar ivory box and cover, Yuan dynasty, illustrated by S.Lee and Wai Kam-Ho, Chinese Art under the Mongols: The Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), Cleveland, 1968, no.299.