Lot 78. A very rare three-colour lacquer circular 'pavilion' box and and cover, Jiajing six-character mark and of the period (1522-1566); 25.3cm diam. (3). Estimate HK$ 1 million - 1.5 million (€95,000 - 140,000). Sold for HK$ 937,500 (€ 111,209). Photo: Bonhams.

Deeply carved through layers of cinnabar-red, dark green and brown lacquer depicting a round cartouche enclosing a tall pavilion beside gnarled pine trees growing on rocky mountains, detailed with a crane standing in the foreground by the most forward balustrade, an incense burner on the top balcony emitting smoke coiling upwards, forming the word shou flanked by a pair of cranes in flight, encircled by a band of scaly dragons amidst ruyi-shaped clouds repeated on the box above the foot, the straight sides with a diaper pattern, the interiors and base all lacquered red, the reign mark incised in a vertical line and gilt to the centre of the base, together with a Japanese wood box. 

Provenance: Mr Kenzo Hasegawa (1886-1957), founder of the Kaisendo Museum, circa late 1940s
Kaisendo Museum, Yamagata.

Illustrated: Hirokazu Arakawa, Choshitsu, Bijutsu Zenshu (Carved Lacquer), vol.8, Kyoto, 1974, pl.63.

Note: The Jiajing Emperor's keen fascination for Daoism and Immortality generated the production of many works of art in a variety of media including lacquer, ceramics and jade, that reflected this interest and were decorated with symbols and designs representing Daoism, Immortality and the auspicious wish for longevity. For instance, mountain pavilions such as the one depicted on the present lot, evoke the notion of Immortals and their dwellings. Pine trees, as are depicted on the present lot are symbolic of Immortality, as are cranes.

Compare with a carved cinnabar lacquer box and cover, Jiajing mark and of the period, decorated with a similar pavilion, also detailed with a standing crane and enclosed by a circular band of dragons, in the Palace Museum Collection, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Lacquer Wares of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2006, p.155, pl.116.

It is exceedingly rare to find Jiajing mark and period polychrome lacquer boxes and covers carved with pavilions, as they are more typically decorated with dragons. Examples of polychrome lacquer boxes and covers with similar carving to the current lot, but decorated with dragons, are in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, and in the Palace Museum, Beijing. These are illustrated respectively in Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors. Treasured lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, p.113, pl.101 and in op.cit., p.177, pl.135.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong, Admiralty, 26 May 2014 14:00 HKT