Chinese Carved Cinnabar Red Lacquer Circular Box and Cover

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Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Box and Cover
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This elegant Chinese cinnabar lacquer box and cover is a good example of … Read more Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Box and Cover
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This elegant Chinese cinnabar lacquer box and cover is a good example of the fine craftsmanship from the first half of the 20th century. The piece features intricate and detailed carving across its entire surface, showcasing a rich cultural history.

The art of carved lacquer has a long and celebrated history in China, with its origins tracing back to the Song dynasty (1127-1279). The process is incredibly labor-intensive and requires immense skill. It involves applying dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of thin layers of a lacquer resin—derived from the sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree—onto a base, often made of wood. Once the layers are built up and hardened, a master artisan uses sharp blades to carve intricate, three-dimensional designs. The distinctive red color, from which "cinnabar" lacquer takes its name, comes from the addition of cinnabar, a naturally occurring mercury ore, to the lacquer.

The circular cover's central design depicts a serene scene of two songbirds perched among blooming peonies and rock formations, all set against a meticulously carved geometric background of tiny, stylized flower-heads. In traditional Chinese art, such motifs are never merely decorative. The peony, revered as the "king of flowers," symbolizes wealth, honor, and prosperity. Paired with songbirds, the composition conveys wishes for happiness, good fortune, and marital harmony. This combination of auspicious symbols would have been highly valued as a gift or a treasured family possession.

The decorative border of the cover and the base of the box are adorned with four oval panels, each containing more peonies and various precious objects. The box's interior and base are finished in a smooth black lacquer, providing a striking contrast to the vibrant red of the cinnabar.

This piece not only serves as a functional container but also as a work of art, highlighting the skill and patience required for cinnabar carving. Its considerable size—14 inches in diameter and 5 inches high—makes it a substantial and eye-catching object, representative of the continued production of fine decorative arts in China during the early 20th century.

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