Red Cinnabar Lacquer Box, China, 19th Century, Qing Dynasty

This box, covered in cinnabar lacquer (tihong), from China, dating from the second half of the 19th century, is lenticular in shape and consists of two perfectly fitting parts. The decoration on the lid is carved in reserve within a deep red lacquer, featuring a subtle yet clearly defined relief, and above all, an engraving of great finesse, legible even down to the micro-textures that bring the ground, foliage, and mountain slopes to life.

The subject captures the viewer’s attention due to its unusual nature for this type of object: at the center of a landscape, two peasants are depicted in a scene of simple daily life, one at work, the other carrying a child. The narrative is deliberately modest and human, far removed from the more typical themes of scholars, immortals, or major historical events, which lends the box a more intimate and almost descriptive tone. The rendering of the figures, meticulously executed despite the small scale, relies on fine, even engraving, with a sense of detail that avoids a repetitive, decorative effect.

The sides feature a geometric pattern engraved with precision, utilizing tightly packed motifs that catch the light and accentuate the “textural” quality of the lacquer. This type of work involves applying numerous layers of lacquer, which are then carved, explaining the visual depth of the red and the sharpness of the contours when the object has been well preserved. Here, the overall appearance remains very fresh; there are only a few minor imperfections on the interior, with no major impact on the appearance, and the exterior condition remains very good.

Diameter 18.5 cm; height 10 cm.