Huanghuali carved wooden lidded box, Qing Dynasty

Rectangular and made of huanghuali wood. The cover is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and hard stone, in the form of a gnarled prunus branch, which sprouts from an outcrop of rock at the sceptre and is distributed across the entire lid, while the rocks in the lower right and left corners make the image extend across the composition. The branch is made of darker wood, from which dozens of mother-of-pearl flowers sprout, along with two birds playing and looking at each other. Both the edges of the lid and those of the box are rounded and fit together in the shape of a clover, delicately worked in two heights.

The box is unadorned and the interior is darkened. The wood has a beautiful grain and colour throughout, with the typical eyes or knots in the grain that are typical of this type of wood. Very good condition. Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). Possibly late 18th century or later.

Size: 17 x 15 x 28 cm; Weight: 1756 gr

Provenance: Current French private collection.  -Previous owner of lot: 92, (Carved spinach green jade vase, Qing dynasty) Auction: Asian Art Auction 29 December 2022. Darley Auctions.

References:

· Sotheby's. Important chinese art. (21 Sept 2021) Lot 122.