view: front

Description:

Elaborately carved peach-shaped box with cover. Carved from red, green and yellow lacquer applied to a wooden core.
The centre of the cover is carved with a large chun, the Chinese character for Spring, in the centre of which is a circle containing a depiction of Shoulao, the god of longevity, seated below a pine tree. On either side of the chun is a dragon in clouds and below is a decorated bowl containing symbols of longevity and good fortune, with rays emanating from the bowl. The central panel has a finely carved background of small diapers that were typical of the Qing dynasty. Surrounding the central panel is a narrow floral scroll border and a wider border of entwined peach blossom and peaches. The peaches are decorated with finely carved diapers. The border of flowers and peaches is repeated on the sides of the lower section of the box. The base and interior of the box are painted in plain black lacquer.
There are signs of some slight damage around the rim of the box and around the edges of the central panel. The lacquer is worn in places on the base.