A LARGE AND RARE IMPERIAL 'GUANGDONG TRIBUTE' PEACH BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, YONGZHENG PERIOD

in the form of a peach, set with thirty-two bats carved in red hornbill against an ivory ground deeply carved with cloud scrolls above mountains of paradise with a whirlpool sea at the base, all surmounted by a stylised shou medallion containing a bat, the interior finely painted in red and brown with further bats amid swirling clouds and all reserved on a rich gold ground

Sotheby's London, 18th November 1998, lot 829 (one of a pair).

The box and cover are in very good condition with the exception of very minor wear and rubbing to the gilding at the rims.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present superbly carved ivory box in the shape of a peach was made as a tributary item for the imperial court by artisans working in Guangzhou during the Yongzheng period. The ivory workshop in Guangzhou received an abundant supply of raw material, mainly from Southeast Asia, making ivory carving one of the most lucrative businesses in the region. Local ivory products were presented to the Qing court as tribute of native items. For documentary evidence of ivory pieces sent to the Imperial palace see a list included in Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court, Hong Kong, 1987, pp.56-7.  

This box is comparable with the famous covered peach-shape box made of coral with gold mounting inside, similarly attributed to the Yongzheng period, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated ibid., fig. 9, and also included in the exhibition China. The Three Emperors, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2006, cat.no. 294.

For an example of the carved decoration of bats on thick swirling clouds see a lacquer dish decorated with three peaches on a similar overall design of bats among waves illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Covered Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 30.

Peaches are among China's most favoured symbols and peaches combined with bats are even more auspicious and together represent blessings and longevity.