Carved polychrome lacquer box in the shape of conjoined spheres, Qianlong reign (1736-1795), Qing dynasty-China Archive

Carved polychrome lacquer box in the shape of conjoined spheres, Qianlong reign (1736-1795), Qing dynasty

Image Number: K1H000093N000000000PAB
Dynasty: Qing dynasty
Category: Lacquer wares
Function: Container
Material: Plants/Paint/
Description:
The shape is formed by the intersection of two three-dimensional spheres. The box cover and the four sides of the box are also made of the same bicircular lighting. At the bottom of the box, there is a “double edge treasure box”. The words “edge” and “circle” are homophonic. The black paint inside the box is painted with gold twig flowers, peaches and bats, which means “happiness and longevity”. The Qianlong Dynasty took the initiative to name and mark the objects, just like the self inscription of bronze, which was not found in the previous dynasties, thus enhancing the importance of objects. The main lighting on the upper part of the box cover is a tribute map. A westerner rode on a horse, followed by a person carrying things on foot. As early as the Tang Dynasty, the theme of the tribute painting was favored by the officials of all dynasties, representing the prosperity of the government and the country. The four barbarians came to pay tribute. In the Qianlong Dynasty, court painters were ordered to draw the scroll of the tribute painting. This paint box is mainly decorated in red, green paint and yellow paint are below the red paint. The middle view of the official tribute picture is the yellow water ripple pattern, and the edge of the tree stone cloud pattern is carved with green paint from time to time. The outside of the window is the folded and deformed dragon pattern, while the inside of the flower window is carved with green and yellow paint. The pattern layout is regular, the carving is meticulous, and the polishing of the paint surface is not paid attention to. The mouth edges of the cover and the body are made into a character stripe, and the foot edges are decorated in the shape of lotus petals, which is a common decorative motif in the palace.