Imperial cinnabar lacquer dragon box and cover
Jiajing mark and period, 1522 – 1566
Diameter: 25.7 cm | 10 1/8 in
Height: 11 cm | 4 5/16 in

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The top and bottom of this box are comprised of two circular sections of equal height. Its top surface has shallow carving, against a plain background, that depicts a single reeling dragon amongst clouds – above three rocky cosmic mountain peaks, lingzhi, and crashing waves; these are flanked, on both sides, by trees in full fruit. Above, in the centre, there are two types of shou character (signifying ‘long life’) in contrasting script.

On each foot, the dragon’s fifth claw has been removed (at a later date) – leaving a visible space in the design; this was not uncommon, and was done in an attempt to disguise Imperial provenance. The deep sides are carved with a repeating pattern of lingzhi, scrolling leaves, and undulating stems – also against a plain background. The inset base has a bold six-character Jiajing mark of the period – placed vertically in the centre, and incised and filled with gold.

The dragon is the emblem of the Emperor – representing various cosmic and mythological ideas; the peach is the attribute of Shoulao (or Shouxing) the ‘god of longevity’, and the lingzhi also represents longevity and immortality.

Similar example: Carved Lacquer in the Collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, 1985 – no.195, for the cover subject matter, and no. 218 for a box of the same shape and mark.

Im Zeichen Des Drachen, Von der Schönheit chinesischer Lacke, Hirmer Verlag München – Museum für Lackkunst, Münster/Linden Museum, Stuttgart exhibition 2006/2007, plates 70 and 71. These two items – a mirror back and a cabinet – are carved in the same rather flat style, with a plain background.