Craved Lacquer Box

Date From

1644

Date To

1911

Materials

Height (cm)

17.3

Width (cm)

31

Depth (cm)

15.8

Diameter (cm)

92

Accession Number

HKU.L.1971.0457

Description

A precisely carved box with a cover, made of red layers of lacquer over a wooden core, in other words Qidao. The box is octagonal in shape with smooth rounded corners, the interiors and the base lacquered black. The sides are covered with engravings of floret diaper ground. The box is supported by a short sturdy black lacquered foot.

The cravings on the vertical faces of the box illustrate pots and boxes filled with flowers and fruits. The fine-textured and smooth interior is a 4D octagon designed to hold objects similar to the carvings on the box; fruits and flowers. The cravings on top of the box illustrate people of different ages, an old man with a child and a middle aged man. They are in a rocky landscape surrounded by streams and jagged rocks. This scenery represents the usage of the box in a familial situation with the purpose of serving all ages.

During the Qing Dynasty around 1644-1911, carved lacquer wares were made in Suzhou or Yangzhou, the ware were seen as an ornament meant for the usage of upper-class families. Similar lacquer boxes were used for serving wine during birthday banquets.

Citation

“Craved Lacquer Box,” 3D Objects at UMAG, accessed March 29, 2024, https://cchu9080.lib.hku.hk/items/show/141.

Output Formats

Geolocation