A PEACHBLOOM SEAL-PASTE BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

of entirely plain compressed circular form, the domed cover of pinkish tone shading to a light mushroom colour around the sides and on the upper part of the box with a hint of characteristic green, transmuting to a pale liver colour towards the base, the footrim with a neatly finished groove around the outer edge, inscribed on the underside with a six-character reign mark in underglaze-blue

An Asian Family Collection.
Christie's Hong Kong, 31st October 2000, lot 867.

The overall condition is very good, apart from a 3 mm minor nick on the interior rim of the cover and a minor original 5 mm potting flaw on the rim of the box. The actual colour is slightly paler than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Also known as the yinse he ('seal colour box'), or 'vermillion box', the present piece is one of the eight peachbloom wares made for the scholar's table as discussed in Ralph Chait, 'The Eight Prescribed Peachbloom Shapes Bearing K'ang-Hsi Marks', Oriental Art, Winter 1957, vol. III, no. 4, pp 130-137.

Similar seal boxes can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in Suzanne G. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, pl. 138; in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Kangxi. Yongzheng. Qianlong. Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 141; and in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the museum's Special Exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch'ing Dynasty, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 11. Compare also one sold in these rooms, 17^th December 1996, lot 115, and later sold again at Christie's Hong Kong, 28^th April 2003, lot 569.