木製赤漆 中国 清時代

The detachable lid of this box features an elaborate carved and lacquered design with three dragons centering on the wish-fulfilling jewel against a wave-patterned backdrop. Each of the creatures has five claws, symbolizing the Qing court. The emperors of this dynasty aggressively sought legitimation, including through the arts. The masterful execution of this box can be observed in the extremely thin whiskers of the dragons as well as in the highlighted tips of the waves. While the interiors of the box and lid are lacquered in black, the exterior acquired
its brilliant red color through the incorporation of mercuric sulfide, or cinnabar, into the lacquer. Such coatings not only enhanced the object’s appearance by creating a high-gloss finish but also offered a protective layer for complicated designs like this one.