A rare Chinese red cinnabar lacquer nine dragon circular box and cover Qianlong 1736-95, the cover carved in relief with nine scaly five-clawed dragons with flaming pearls of wisdom on a dense cloud scroll, the body raised on a straight foot, 35cm. (2)

Cf. Spink & Son Ltd., The Minor Arts of China IV, p.13, no.3, and Bonhams, November 2012, lot 28 for a related box and cover; also The T T Tsui Galleries of Chinese Art, Royal Ontario Museum, 1996, no.126 for another related example. Two large cinnabar lacquer 'nine dragon' vases in The National Palace Museum with a similar decoration are illustrated in Compendium of Chinese Art, Hong Kong, p.199, no.124. See also Sotheby's New York, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 21st September 2006, lot 66, for a related box and cover.

清乾隆  剔紅趕珠龍紋蓋盒