Chinese Qing Dynasty Cinnabar Lacquer Round Box with Scholar Scene + Leaping Fish
East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A round covered box of carved cinnabar lacquer with a black-lacquered interior, resting on a short foot. On the lid, a key-fret band frames a roundel in which a robed scholar holds an unrolled scroll as a young attendant brings a bundle, beneath a gnarled tree and a hanging willow, with rocks and distant hills beyond. The sides are deeply carved with curling waves and leaping fish. The leaping carp was a common symbol of success in the civil service examinations, a theme echoed by the scholar on the lid. Size: 2.6" H x 4.6" Diam (6.6 cm H x 11.7 cm Diam).
Carved red lacquer (tihong) is made by brushing many thin coats of lacquer onto a core. The lacquer is colored with cinnabar, a natural mercury sulfide. Each coat has to cure before the next goes on. Once the layers are thick enough, the carver cuts down through them to make the scene in relief. Because a slip can't be fixed, every cut has to be right the first time.
Please note that the red pigment on this piece contains up to 53% mercury.
Provenance: private Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA collection
This item contains mercury, a toxic substance. It should be handled with caution. We recommend storing it in a sealed display case.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205571
Condition
An area of about 2 inches on the lid rim has been repaired, with sections of the carved red lacquer reattached with adhesive and the black lacquer interior retouched with black pigment in the same area. Fissures radiate outward from this repair. The rim of the body has several stable fissures. Scattered chips to the raised carving, with some exposing the lighter ground beneath. Good stable condition.
East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A round covered box of carved cinnabar lacquer with a black-lacquered interior, resting on a short foot. On the lid, a key-fret band frames a roundel in which a robed scholar holds an unrolled scroll as a young attendant brings a bundle, beneath a gnarled tree and a hanging willow, with rocks and distant hills beyond. The sides are deeply carved with curling waves and leaping fish. The leaping carp was a common symbol of success in the civil service examinations, a theme echoed by the scholar on the lid. Size: 2.6" H x 4.6" Diam (6.6 cm H x 11.7 cm Diam).
Carved red lacquer (tihong) is made by brushing many thin coats of lacquer onto a core. The lacquer is colored with cinnabar, a natural mercury sulfide. Each coat has to cure before the next goes on. Once the layers are thick enough, the carver cuts down through them to make the scene in relief. Because a slip can't be fixed, every cut has to be right the first time.
Please note that the red pigment on this piece contains up to 53% mercury.
Provenance: private Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA collection
This item contains mercury, a toxic substance. It should be handled with caution. We recommend storing it in a sealed display case.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205571
Condition
An area of about 2 inches on the lid rim has been repaired, with sections of the carved red lacquer reattached with adhesive and the black lacquer interior retouched with black pigment in the same area. Fissures radiate outward from this repair. The rim of the body has several stable fissures. Scattered chips to the raised carving, with some exposing the lighter ground beneath. Good stable condition.
