Lot 2924. A pair of coral-red ground gilt-decorated circular boxes and covers, Qianlong four-character seal marks in gilt within squares and of the period (1736-1795). Each 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) diam. Estimate: HK$1,500,000.00 - HK$2,600,000.00 (USD 192,262 - USD 333,255). Price realised HKD 3,460,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2018.

Each domed cover is decorated in gilt with a central florette head surrounded by leafy lotus scroll, the box is decorated with same design on the exterior, and the interior is enamelled turquoise.

Provenance: Sold at Christie’s New York, 24 April 1987, lot 67.

Note: The combination of coral-red and gilt decoration is more commonly seen on porcelains from the Jiaqing and Daoguang period, Qianlong examples are very rare. Compare to a coral-enamelled chrysanthemum-shaped dish inscribed with an Imperial poem, bearing a very similar gilt four-character Qianlong mark, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 October 2002, lot 604. Compare also to a coral-ground gilt-decorated double-gourd vessel, dating to the Qianlong period, sold at Christie’s New York, 26 March 2003, lot 271.