Antique Finely Carved Large Chinese Cinnabar Box with Blue Enameled Interior
I am amazed by the fineness of so many Chinese antiques, and the more I look at real Chinese Cinnabar carving, the more amazed I am. This unusually large box would have been entirely carved by hand, then coated with many successive layers of lacquer. Cinnabar takes its name from the red mineral, a form of mercury sulfide, used to dye the lacquer (while the other colors have sometimes been used, red is most common, most likely due to the association of the color red with good luck.) The face of this deeply carved, hinged box, which I believe dates from sometime between 1900-1920, features a scene of scholars in a traditional Chinese scholar's garden, with wonderfully detailed trees, pavilions, rock features, and bridges. The sides of the box feature a flower and vine design. The interior and underside of the box are enameled a terrific bright blue, and the box sits on round brass or bronze feet. Really a wonderful piece. This box--measuring 8 1/2" long x 3 5/8" deep x 2 3/8" tall-- is