A CINNABAR LACQUER 'LUOHAN' BOX AND COVER, YUAN TO EARLY MING DYNASTY Opinion: Recent research into the dating of carved lacquer has put forward the suggestion that boxes of this type with double key-fret decoration on the rim and relatively large figures or landscape scenes with rock formations on the cover can be dated as early as the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). The strongest argument in favor of this early dating is the relatively recent discovery of a similar, somewhat larger box in a group of tombs near Shanghai that belonged to the Ren family, of which the latest was datable to 1351 and the earliest to 1338. Another feature of the present lot that points toward an early Ming date is the distinct lotus petal borders encircling the central depiction and the foot, which compare favorably to a number of cinnabar lacquer boxes dated to the late 14^th or 15^th century, including one sold at Sotheby's New York in 2018 (see auction result comparison).

China, mid-14^th-16^th century. Of circular form, supported on a short tapered foot encircled by a band of overlapping lotus petals, the cover similarly designed with rather prominent lotus petals enclosing a circular panel carved in high relief with a luohan carrying a large double-gourd on his back, wearing a loose-fitting monastic robe with wide sleeves, below the moon and swirling clouds, against a diapered ground. The straight sides of the box and cover very neatly carved with a key-fret band. The recessed base and interior lacquered black.

Provenance: UK trade.
Condition: Overall excellent good condition, commensurate with age, and as expected for a cinnabar lacquer box of such high age. Old wear, cracks, nicks and losses, shallow surface light scratches.

Weight: 30.0 g
Dimensions: Diameter 6.3 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 12 September 2018, lot 253
Price: USD 75,000 or approx. EUR 85,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved circular cinnabar lacquer 'lotus' box and cover, Ming dynasty, late 14^th / 15^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related bands of lotus petals around the foot and top. Note the lack of figures and different size (8 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 2 October 2017, lot 215
Price: HKD 125,000 or approx. EUR 17,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A cinnabar lacquer 'scholar on horseback' circular box and cover, Ming dynasty, 16^th century
Expert remark: Compare the similar size, form, key-fret borders, two-tiered diapered ground, and manner of carving. Note the lack of overlapping lotus petals.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1559
Price: HKD 96,000 or approx. EUR 15,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Rare Finely Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Square Incense Box and Cover, Ming Dynasty, 16^th Century
Expert remark: Compare the similar size, key-fret borders, two-tiered diapered ground, and manner of carving. Note the different form and lack of overlapping lotus petals.



元至明初剔紅羅漢紋蓋盒
中國，十四世紀中期至十六世紀。圓盒，短圈足。盒蓋和底足都環疊蓮瓣紋，蓮瓣線條飽滿，頗為顯眼。盒蓋上開光内錦地浮雕一個背著大葫蘆的羅漢，身著寬鬆的廣袖僧袍 ，頭頂有雲朵與月亮。外壁雷紋，盒内黑地。

根據近年對雕漆年代的研究，此類盒沿上的格紋，以及封蓋上人物或岩層較大的山水圖，最早可追溯到元代（1279-1368）。支持這種早期年代測定的最有力論據是最近在上海附近的元代任氏家族墓葬中發現了一個類似的、稍大的盒子，其中最晚的可追溯到 1351 年，最早可追溯到 1338 年。

來源：英國古玩交易。
品相：整體品相極佳，磨損、裂紋、刻痕和缺損，表面淺劃痕。

重量：30.0 克
尺寸：直徑 6.3 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：紐約蘇富比，2018年9月12日，lot 253
價格：USD 75,000（相當於今日EUR 85,000）
描述：明十四世紀至十五世紀剔紅蓮花式蓋盒
專家評論：比較相近的盒蓋和底足環狀蓮瓣紋。請注意盒蓋中間沒有人物，尺寸不同 (8厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2017年10月2日，lot 215
價格：HKD 125,000（相當於今日EUR 17,000）
描述：明十六世紀剔紅高士策馬圖圓蓋盒
專家評論：比較相似的尺寸、外型、外壁雷紋、饕餮紋地，以及相似的雕刻風格。請注意此盒沒有蓮瓣紋。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2007年5月29日，lot 1559
價格：HKD 96,000（相當於今日EUR 15,000）
描述：十六世紀明代剔紅羅漢紋方蓋盒
專家評論：比較相似的尺寸、外壁雷紋、兩層的紋地，以及雕刻風格。請注意不同的外型和此盒沒有蓮瓣紋。