Red Lacquered and Carved Chinese Box.

Delicate Chinese wooden box, red-lacquered and with bright black finish inside. The box has an original lobed shape which makes a difference with other items of the like. The outside of the box is lacquered in red, a very typical finish for decorative Oriental pieces, and the lacquer is profusely carved with figurative and decorative patterns. On the cover we can see a popular scene, with an old man playing the flute while another one puts out his hand in an offering attitude. By the musician we can see a lion lying down. The scene is taking place in a typical Eastern landscape. The rest of the boxs surface is also carved, in this case with motives which depict peach-tree branches. The peach is a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture, and we can see these fruits in many decorative articles. Both the popular scene and the peaches are surrounded by classical fringes. The carving work is very deep and shows different levels, which provides the decoration with a highly realistic feeling. The background is also carved, this time with a geometrical pattern of concentric diamonds which covers the whole surface. The cover has been restored, but this detail is barely perceptible from the outside. Inside, the piece is lacquered in black and shows a bright and deep finish which makes an interesting contrast with the red exterior. Chinese lacquering technique is an age-old art which is made with Tsi tree (lacquer tree) resin. Lacquered items are the product of an accurate and long work, as the base needs an intense preparation and the lacquer layers have numbered hundreds. In this case, this boxs finish is a carving lacquer which is known as Tiao-tsi. The beauty of its decoration and its exotic look turn this box in an exceptionally interesting piece and a first-class Chinese antique, worthy of inclusion in the best collection. Measurements: 160 mm width x11 mm depth.