Lot 227. A polychrome-lacquered square box and cover, 17th-18th century; Width 16 3/4  in., 42.5 cm. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Lot sold 17,500 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

the cover incised and painted with red, green, yellow, blue and black lacquers on a orange-brown ground, with sloping sides each with a recessed panel reserving a pair of confronting phoenix, the center with a pair of butterflies forming a roundel encircled within an archaistic foliate scroll, within a square form band cornered by arched lotus petals trailing leafy scrolls, bordered by flying bats and lotus blooms, and an archaistic band of attenuated chilong, the base similarly decorated, the interior and base lacquered black (2).