China
17th Century
The rectangular hinged softwood carcass gessoed and painted with a design of a central coiled four-clawed dragon, clutching shells and cash medallions flanked by four other smaller dragons, their details picked out in high relief, above a stylised Li shui rockwork and wave strewn border, within a further border of shou-characters, repeated in panels to either side, the top distressed.
The design has been inspired by Chinese imperial silk textiles, copying formal robes of the Ming & Qing dynasties. According to Luca and Camilla Corona, these boxes were used to store silks and brocades sent to Tibet by the neighbouring Manchurian rulers. This influence of exchange of Chinese textile design can be clearly seen.
Stock Code 1660
Dimensions 87.00cm high x 138.00cm wide x 46.00cm deep