Crisply carved in high relief to the upper surface with a raised central cartouche depicting a gathering of four immortals and two attendants in a mountainous landscape with rocks, pine and wutong trees, all enclosed within a peach, bat and peony border, the sides carved with a swirling crashing wave design.

Note: The development of carved lacquer reached its zenith during the Qianlong reign. It was one of the most time-consuming and challenging approaches to making lacquer wares requiring the skills and patience of the most outstanding craftsmen of their day. The exquisite carving on this large box and cover can be compared with a box and cover of similar form, size and design that was sold Christie's, London, 8 November 2011, lot 262. Another slightly smaller box and cover (27.5 cm. diameter) of pentafoil form sold Christie's, Hong Kong, 28 May 2014, lot 3511

Christie's. The Royal House of Savoy, London, 15 October 2019