Antique Chinese Food Presentation Carved Wood Partial Gilt Box

Details

Description

A remarkable antique food box from the Shanxi province, North China, late Ming (1368-1644) to early Qing (1644-1912) Dynasty.

An … Read more A remarkable antique food box from the Shanxi province, North China, late Ming (1368-1644) to early Qing (1644-1912) Dynasty.

An extraordinary example, this rare, highly detailed, exceptionally executed Asian antique was likely used as a food presentation covered box, a traditional gift for important people presented during one of the official outdoors events so popular in ancient Shanxi. The gift presented would be special food to be enjoyed during the event hence the term food container. The more important the recipient, the more ornate the construction was. This is by far the most decorative we've ever seen, leading us to believe it was created for someone of significant importance.

The hand carved wooden presentation box is rectangular in shape and features warm red lacquer tones. The structure is very refined, indented corners and concave curved sides reveal that no expense was spared in its creation. Having decorative elements throughout, the lower having a raised foot base with lacquer insets contrasting with the dark framework to create visual interest, decorated in black ebonized wave motif with partial gilt accents, light red background, tones of deep ox blood red and burgundy lacquered panels framed by brilliant gold gilded border. The top lifts off to reveal a simple interior finished in deep red lacquer. The lacquers aged naturally to achieve an elegantly distressed, mellow, beautiful patina. Extremely rare, the lightweight, fragile nature of these containers has led to very few surving the test of time. Signed on the reverse.

Makes for a beautiful and functional decorative object in your home.

Provenance:
Aquired in Maui from from the personal property of Genshiro Kawamoto. A Japanese real estate tycoon billionaire and avid decorative arts collector who owned numerous multi-million dollar homes in Hawaii, of which he planned on converting multiple into museums just to house and display his extensive collection of antiques and artifacts. Mr. Kawamoto was building one of the most expensive homes in Hawaii and planned on using these pieces in the construction at the time of his tax evasion arrest, seizure of assets and subsequent deportation and prison sentence. See less