PLEASE NOTE HIS LOT IS NOW TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE. A RARE PAIR OF CHINESE IMPERIAL CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER QUATREFOIL 'DRAGON' BOXES AND COVERS

QIANLONG 1736-95

Each of square section with indented corners, and decorated on the covers with three dragons leaping from turbulent waves in pursuit of flaming pearls, framed by key fret borders repeated on the foot rims, the sides of the boxes and covers carved with waves, the bases and interiors in black lacquer, 23cm. (4)

Provenance: an English private collection, Surrey, UK; sold on behalf of Parkinson's UK.

Cf. Carving of the Subtle Radiance of Colours, Treasured Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, p.133, no.132, for a similar cinnabar lacquer box of this design.