A PAIR OF CINNABAR LACQUER 'IMMORTALS AND BAJIXIANG' SQUARE BOXES AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

modelled with a box and cover with four indented corners alternating with four gently lobed sloping sides, all supported on a short key-fret bordered foot, each of the sloping sides carved through deep layers of cinnabar lacquer with a trapezoidal cartouche enclosing an exquisitely arranged array of miscellaneous objects ranging from ritual vessels and scholarly paraphernalia, such as jue- and ding-form vessels and brushpots, to fruits and flowering branches, such as a plate of sanduo and prunus branches issuing from a tall vase, against a diapered leiwen ground, alternating with a different beribboned bajixiang emblem carved to the indented corner against a diapered floral ground, further decorated with objects such as scholar's rocks, volumes of books and babao emblems, the rim bordered with a key-fret band, the cover with the top centred with a panel bordered with bands of petal lappets and key-fret motifs, one portraying Cao Guo Jiu and Lan Caihe conversing in a lush and verdant setting decorated with a courtyard and pavilions, the former immortal depicted clad in formal court attire and holding a pair of castanets, the latter in loose robes and holding a basket of flowers, the other decorated to the top with a riverscape, the idyllic and picturesque scene portraying Li Tieguai and Han Xiang Zi, the former in the foreground with his characteristic crutch and double-gourd, the latter seated in a pavilion and playing the flute, the scene further decorated with a mountainous background, the interior and base lacquered black, stands

Spink & Son Ltd, London.

Good overall condition, with just minor bruising and small chips to the fragile extremities, especially the bases. There has been minor retouching to the flanges of the both boxes. Typical age cracks to both.
"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."

Boxes of this square shape, with indented corners and high domed covers are unusual, although a pair of similar boxes, but carved on the sides with figures within panels, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 7th July 2003, lot 731; and another box, with a Qianlong mark and of the period, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the Museum’s exhibition Special Exhibition of Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, 1981, cat. no. 41, together with a Qianlong mark and period box of similar shape, but the cover less domed, cat. no. 42; another sold in these rooms, 27th April 2003, lot 47; and a third box sold at Christie’s London, 16th April 1985, lot 362.

These two boxes depict four of the Eight Daoist immortals: Cai Guo Jiu discussing with Lan Caihe, and Han Xiang Zi playing his flute with Li Tieguai. It is thus tempting to suggest that these two boxes were part of a group of four, each depicting two different immortals.