Lacquered Chinese Box, 19th c.

Exclusive Chinese round box, decorated with sculpted red lacquer. It is an antique piece which dates from the 19th century. Inside the box is lacquered in black, and in the centre there are six elegant Chinese ideograms. The outside is completely covered of motives sculpted on the lacquer, depicting several interlaced dragons moving among the sea waves and showing their terrible heads above the water. All the features are carefully carved with high and remarkable detail: the dragons faces, their bodies and even the waves. The sculpted lacquer technique is called Chositsu and has a Chinese origin, dating from Yuang and Ming dynasties. This technique was only applied to very valuable articles, because many layers of lacquer are needed in order to be able to carve the motives. Afterwards, a new technique was developed in Japan under the name of Kamakurabori: the wood was first carved and afterwards the artisan applied some layers of lacquer over it. The small size of this delicate Chinese box turns it into a very special and exquisite item. The dragons that embellish the surface are full of expressiveness and movement. They are mythological beast which symbolize the yang (male principle), and they are also the symbol of China as an Eastern country. The fine detail of this box, its elegant round shape, its ancient age and its good condition turn this piece into a very nice object, which any lover of beauty will undoubtedly be able to appreciate. Medidas: 160 mm diámetro.