AN UNUSUAL RYUKYUAN MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAID BLACK LACQUER OCTAGONAL BOX AND COVER WITH CONJOINED EIGHT-LEGGED STAND 18th CenturyPROPERTY FROM THE MARY AND CHENEY COWLES COLLECTIONAN UNUSUAL RYUKYUAN MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAID BLACK LACQUER OCTAGONAL BOX AND COVER WITH CONJOINED EIGHT-LEGGED STAND18th CenturyThe box with a recessed flat octagonal panel to the top inlaid with a coiling dragon amidst clouds, above a wide register of eight recessed landscape panels on the rounded upper sides above a thinner band with alternate vignettes of birds on tree branches divided by panels of differing flora and rockwork, all set within sprinkled gold ground nashiji beaded-edge surrounds, the box mirroring the decoration above with a conjoined eight-legged stand with ogival apron and ruyi-shaped out-curving feet on a thin stepped stretcher support. 14 1/8in high and 13 1/4in across (35.9cm high and 33.6cm across) Japanese wood box十八世紀 琉球黑漆螺鈿龍紋八方蓋盒暨八足座