A CINNABAR LACQUER ‘PLAYING BOYS’ SEAL PASTE BOX AND COVER, MING DYNASTY
China, 15th-16th century. The domed cover and box are finely carved and incised in relief depicting three playing boys surrounded by rockwork, foliage, and a branch incised with fruit, all set in a diaper ground. The box is decorated with a band of peony blossoms set in a key-fret diaper. The interior and base lacquered in black. The box feels rather heavy in the hand, which indicates a solid metal core.


Provenance:
From an old Japanese private collection. British trade, acquired from the above.

Condition:
Good condition commensurate with age showing extensive old wear and a few manufacturing irregularities, expected minor age cracks, losses, the interior and base with flaking and cracks to the black lacquer. The cover has a small old repair to a part of the rim and rockwork on one edge.

Weight: 71.7 g
Dimensions: Diameter 6.3 cm

With an old Japanese wood storage box. (2)


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 7 October 2015, lot 3768
Estimate: HKD 90,000 or approx.
EUR 12,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A cinnabar lacquer ‘boy’ seal paste box and cover, Ming dynasty, 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related domed circular form as well as the related boys motif and manner of carving with similar relief and diapered grounds.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 13 October 2021, lot 3663
Price: HKD 186,000 or approx.
EUR 23,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved cinnabar lacquer circular box and cover, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related circular form and manner of carving with similar relief and diapered grounds as well as the closely related three boys motif. Note the size (7.7 cm).




明代剔犀嬰戲圖印泥盒

中國，十五至十六世紀。圓頂蓋盒，精美浮雕三個正在玩點鞭炮的男孩，四周假山、樹葉和果樹。盒外壁雕刻著牡丹花紋。盒內和底座塗黑漆。盒子拿在手上感覺比較重，說明是金屬胎。


來源：
日本私人老收藏. 英國古玩交易，購於上述收藏。

品相：
狀況良好，大面積磨損和一些製造缺陷，有輕微老化裂縫、缺損，內部和底座有黑漆剝落和裂紋。蓋子邊緣的一部分和一側有小修。

重量：71.7 克
尺寸：直徑6.3 釐米

日本木盒 (2)


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比，2015年10月7日，lot 3768
估價：HKD 90,000（相當於今日
EUR 12,500
）
描述：明十六世紀剔紅「持荷童子」紋印盒
專家評論：比較非常相近的圓型外形，以及相近的童子像、浮雕風格，以及底紋。

拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比，2021年10月13日，lot 3663
價格：HKD 186,000（相當於今日
EUR 23,000
）
描述：明十五至十六世紀剔紅嬰戲圖雙面圓盒
專家評論：比較相近的圓型外形、浮雕風格、底紋，以及非常相近的三童子主題。請注意尺寸(7.7 厘米)。