Lot 76 Dα

An inlaid black lacquer seal chest. China, 17th century or Ryûkyû

An inlaid black lacquer seal chest of box form with an inset tray beneath the lid and five drawers behind two doors.
Decorated on three sides and the lid with finely detailed landscape scenes with pavilions, trees and mountains. To the doors a closer view of the Hundred Children playing in pavilion gardens accompanied by ladies in richly decorated robes and a lady seated at a table of scholar’s objects, holding a ruyi sceptre. The motifs in flat, shimmering mother of pearl and gold and silver foil, the rocks, landscape contours, mountains and clouds accentuated with mother of pearl dust. The drawers decorated with flowers and plants in brightly coloured mother of pearl. Lock plate and hinges in yellow metal, probably later. Side handles missing. Damaged.
Height 35.8 cm; width 33.2 cm; depth 27.8 cm