China, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Dimensions: 15.5 cm (diameter)
Red lacquer box, from 18th century China. The lid of the box is richly decorated with an image of a garden with two monks and one disciple walking under the huge trees, holding a lotus flower symbolizing enlightenment, purity and loyalty. In the background are rock formations and pine trees, all on a meticulously carved background decorated with floral, geometric and wavy patterns. The inside of the box is a simple dark colour, designed for easy storage of everyday objects. Many East Asian countries have developed a centuries-old lacquer culture, with China, Japan and Korea being the most prominent, as the best lacquer was made by pressing the leaves of the Chinese lacquer tree, while elsewhere it took the pressing of several plants and bugs to produce the desired, lesser quality material.
