Lot 273. A rare tixi lacquer rectangular box and cover, 14th-15th century. Estimate £5,000 - 7,000 (€6,500 - 9,100). Unsold. Photo: Bonhams.

The box of rounded, canted rectangular shape, the cover crisply carved through alternating layers of black and red lacquer with concentric rows of ruyi-head scrolls, surrounded by bands of formal scrolls, the interior and recessed base lacquered black with collectors mark in red. 18.5cm (7 1/4in) long (2).

Provenance: a European private collection 

Note: The current lot is modelled on an earlier Song dynasty prototype, of similar size and shape, illustrated inSogen no bi: denrai no shikki o chushin ni, Tokyo, 2004, pl.62. 

Bonhams. AUCTION 23237: FINE CHINESE ART, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET