Lot 830. An embellished zitan 'Squirrel and grapevine' circular box and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795). Diameter 3 1/4  in., 8.3 cm. Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 USD. Lot sold 100,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

the top of the cover adorned with four squirrels crouching in opposite directions and surrounded by a scrolling grape vine bearing clusters of fruit and leaves, the vine inlaid in silver wire, the animals, fruits, and leaves variously set with mother-of-pearl, shell, or colored stones, the lions' fur carefully incised and their eyes inset with colored stone pupils, the sides of the cover with further grape vines above a silver-inlaid keyfret rim, the sides of the box with inlaid floral scroll beneath a silver-inlaid keyfret rim, wood stand (3).

Provenance: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th April 2000, Lot 563.