Circular carved lacquer box “Butterflies among peonies”, Qing dynasty

A lacquered wooden box with a circular shape and a low body, consisting of a lid and base. The entire outer surface is covered with carved red lacquer, a technique known as qixiang or “雕漆”, which highlights a delicate relief. The lid is ornamented with a central motif of two butterflies fluttering among large flowering peonies, framed by waving branches, all set against a background of a criss-crossed incised pattern. A perimeter border of classical fretwork surrounds the composition. The sides of the lid and the base show an interlaced pattern of Buddhist knots. The interior and base are lacquered in black, and in the centre of the base is an embossed gilt seal of six characters “大清乾隆年制”. Qing dynasty (1644-1912) or later.

Height: 6.5 m; Diameter: 13 cm