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A BAITONG-INLAID LACQUER BOX AND COVER LATE MING DYNASTY
Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
- lacquer
- 11.3 by 46.2 by 23.5 cm, 4 1/2 by 18 1/4 by 9 1/4 in.
the hinged cover inlaid in baitong (white copper) against a lacquered ground with officials travelling on horseback with their attendants in an idealistic landscape set with a pavilion, jagged rocks and an overhanging tree, the sides similarly decorated in reticulated huangtong (yellow copper) against a lacquered ground with phoenix and long-tailed birds among prunus and lingzhi
Catalogue Note
It is very rare to find lacquer boxes inlaid with baitong, and the present box appears to have utilised the material to simulate the more expensive inlaid mother-of-pearl. Compare a Yuan dynasty rectangular bronze-inlaid black lacquer box, with related metal design adorning the borders, offered in these rooms, 8th April 2007, lot 754.
The combination of baitong with huangtong on the sides creates a dazzling contrast with the black lacquer. Baitong (literally ‘white copper’), was often employed as furniture fittings, as seen on the central lock plate, protective plates and edges of a late Ming dynasty huanghuali chest with drawers, sold in these rooms, 5th October 2016, lot 3008.
The combination of baitong with huangtong on the sides creates a dazzling contrast with the black lacquer. Baitong (literally ‘white copper’), was often employed as furniture fittings, as seen on the central lock plate, protective plates and edges of a late Ming dynasty huanghuali chest with drawers, sold in these rooms, 5th October 2016, lot 3008.