A carved cinnabar lacquer "Nine dragons" treasure box, Qianlong (1736-1795).

The treasure box is made of red cinnabar lacquer. Both the lid and its exterior are skillfully carved, depicting the scene of nine three-clawed dragons flying over a rolling sea. The lid’s surface features three piercing-gazed dragons that appear to emerge from the frenetic waves in a graceful yet dynamic setting. Their hair and beards, their scales, their arms and their facial expressions simulate the rising from the depths to the surface. Surrounding the outside of the box are the rest of the flying dragons – a total of six – which navigate the turbulent waters with their fierce postures.

The interior is covered in a glossy black lacquer. At the center of the lid an inscription is incised, four characters that indicate: “Treasure box of nine dragons” (九龍 寳盒). On the other hand, the bottom of the box displays the seal of the Qing dynasty, Qianlong (大清乾隆年製). Both inscriptions contain a gold filling that has partially disappeared due to wear. Overall, the color of the lacquer is pure and the craftsmanship exquisite. In its entirety, the box is made of a hearty lacquer carved over a luxurious technique.

The fact that the carving is so meticulous – even with patterns as thin as silk and lines so smooth that by themselves provide naturalism in the waters’ and dragons’ movement – shows that the box is an imperial lacquer product of the Qianlong period. Finally, Emperor Qianlong had his own lacquer-carving workshop where all kinds of lacquerware were produced. Therefore, it is to be assumed that this box belongs to the work of Zaobanchu (Imperial Palace Workshop) located in the Forbidden City.

Diameter: 16.5 cm Height: 6.5 cm  

Provenance:

Important private European Dutch collection.  

References:

Ravenel Co., Ltd., Hong Kong, November 24, 2013. Lot 813 - Sold for: € 168,000 (HKD 1,680,000)

Beijing Council International Auction Co., Ltd., Beijing, June 8, 2011. Qing Dynasty Palace Art Special. Lot 2404 - Qing Qianlong treasure box with dragon design and red carved sea dragon. Sold for: € 164,450 (HKD 1,786,141)

Lin Mun-lee, Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors: Treasured Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, p.135. "The Treasure Box of the Nine Red Dragons" 九龙 宝盒 from the National Palace Museum, Taipei.  

Notes:

The nine dragons motif refers to longsheng jiuzi (龍生九子) the nine sons of the Dragon King. This theme has been represented since the Song dynasty.

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