WINTER EXHIBITION 2008 - Roger Keverne

144 ROGER KEVERNE WINTER 2008
114
A fine, large carved red lacquer box and cover
Qianlong period
Diameter: 12G in, 31.3 cm
of circular form with rounded sides and supported on a very shallow foot. The top is deeply
carved with a circular medallion of three five-clawed, two-horned, scaly dragons in pursuit of
a flaming pearl amid cloud scrolls that partly conceal their bodies, all enclosed by a raised
geometric border and a band of lotus lappet. The sides of both the box and cover are carved
with a total of eight phoenixes amid scrolling peony on a geometric diaper ground. The birds
are finely carved in different postures, with various types of feathers, delicately incised. The
foot rim is carved with key-fret and enclosed by a narrow border of chevrons and half blooms.
The interior and base are lacquered black.
Formerly in the collection of Prinzessin Sybilla von Hessen.
It is rare to find this type of box with phoenix decoration to the sides, but for an example with
a similarly decorated top and lotus scroll to the sides, see Carved Lacquer in the Collection of
the Palace Museum, pl. 307.