A CHINESE CINNABAR LACQUER `LYCHEE` CIRCULAR SEAL PASTE BOX AND COVER Ming Dynasty, 16th Century The disc-shaped box and cover finely carved with clusters of plump fruit issuing from leafy branches and etched with various patterns, the interior decorated with black lacquer, 7.5cm diameter (2) 明十六世紀 剔紅荔枝紋蓋盒 Note: the domed form of this box is unusual, with most ‘lychee’ boxes from the Ming dynasty having straight sides. A similar domed box and cover, dated to the Jiajing period, was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, A Private Collection of Scholarly and Imperial Works of Art, 4 th April 2012, lot 3011.