AN INLAID HUANGHUALI RUYI-SHAPED BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the cover finely inlaid with mother-of-pearl, stained horn and lacquer, with a panel of Zhongli Quan in loose robes revealing his round belly and holding a fan in his left hand, peacefully resting on a double gourd under overhanging pine trees, the panel surrounded by an archaistic ruyi-border

In overall good condition. There are typical age cracks and minor areas of restoration, especially the interior flanges and fragile corners.
"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."

Shaped boxes were popular in the eighteenth century, often chosen for their auspicious significance as well for their decorative quality. Although such boxes are inlaid with a variety of motifs, it is rare to find them adorned with figural scenes. Compare a peach-shape box, carved and inlaid in various materials with a peach branch, a butterfly hovering above, from the Qing Court collection in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in The Palace Museum Collection of Elite Carving, Beijing, 2004, pl. 104; and two petal-lobed boxes, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 244, inlaid with a crop of lingzhi, and pl. 245, decorated with nine Buddhist lions.