Circular Box

Circular Box

14th century-15th century
Country
China
Object
box
Medium
lacquer on wood
Accession Number
1986.16A-B
Credit Line
Collectors' Choice Benefit Fund, 1986
Circular Box. 14th century-15th century. lacquer on wood. Collectors' Choice Benefit Fund, 1986. 1986.16A-B.
Inscription
Black characters on lid, light colored box, inside lid
Department
Arts of Asia
Collection
Arts of Asia
This object is currently on view
Incense Box China Ming dynasty (1368-1644) Wood and carved lacquer Collectors' Choice Benefit Fund, 1986 1986.16a,b This small box shows the painstaking skill required of a master lacquer craftsman. Over a paper-thin wood core, more than a hundred layers of red, black, green, and brownish-yellow lacquer have been applied and then carefully carved to produce a striking sculptural effect. Once held in a Japanese collection, this box probably served as an incense container. Its lid is decorated with a central design of five sunken C-scrolls and spearheads that are surrounded by five pommel scrolls, named for the ring pommel on early Chinese swords.
Known Provenance
At least 1985-1986, Royal Phoenix Gallery, New York; 1986, DAM collection, museum purchase.

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