AN EXTREMELY RARE MING CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER RECTANGULAR B...

AN EXTREMELY RARE MING CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER RECTANGULAR BOX AND COVER
WANLI RENCHEN CYCLICAL DATE, CORRESPONDING TO 1592 AND OF THE PERIOD
AN EXTREMELY RARE MING CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER RECTANGULAR BOX AND COVER WANLI RENCHEN CYCLICAL DATE, CORRESPONDING TO 1592 AND OF THE PERIOD The top of the canted rectangular cover is exquisitely carved through the deep layers of cinnabar lacquer to depict an ascending five-clawded dragon contesting a 'flaming pearl', with a descending long-tailed pheonix in flight, above crested waves breaking against jagged rocks and amidst ruyi clouds, and all framed within a rectangular border. The sloping sides with rectangular panels that are carved with flowers borne on a single undulating stem. The panels are reserved against a ground richly decorated with flowering peony to the canted corners and growing along the sides above the mouth rim. The box is similarly carved, supported on a low foot encircled by a keyfret border. The undecorated base is incised and gilt with the reign mark including a renchen cyclical date. 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm.) long