Name: TWO CHINESE EXPORT GILT BLACK LACQUER GAMES BOXES AND A GILT BLACK LACQUER TEA CADDY
Brand: FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY
Price: 2000.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ENGLISH COLLECTION OF CHINESE EXPORT WARE

TWO CHINESE EXPORT GILT BLACK LACQUER GAMES BOXES AND A GILT BLACK LACQUER TEA CADDY
FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY
The octagonal games box and cover has four claw feet and is decorated in two shades of gilt and red, black and grey lacquer with various cartouches enclosing scholar officials at leisure in garden settings. It is embellished with dragons and further cartouches with figures at leisure in reserve with intricately worked foliate gilt borders and a dense pattern of grapes and vines. The interior has various compartments containing 110 engraved mother-of-pearl counters of various forms including circular, oval, rectangular and fish and has two sets of six rectangular trays and four covered boxes. The second games box has a hinged cover and is decorated in two shades of gilt with the central monogram RJB within a cartouche on an intricately worked leafy ground in gilt and bordered with further foliate decorated bands. The interior with five covered rectangular boxes all with the RJB monogram and three sets of trays. The rectangular tea caddy has a hinged cover and is also decorated in two shades of gilt, the exterior with various city and waterfront harbour scenes from Canton. The interior of the cover has a gilt monogram flanked by two clumps of bamboo.
The widest box 14 3/4 in. (37.6 cm.)

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Lot Essay

The octagonal games box with claw feet: details of the decoration to the interior relates to Western playing cards and the suit of diamonds comprising the Nine, Jack, Queen, King and Ace. Two trays depict the King holding an axe and the Queen and Jack together. A further tray depicts the head and shoulders of an elaborately attired figure with the word "Game". It is not know what game was played with these token and trays.

The rectangular games box measures 38 x 30 x 8 cm. The interior of the box comprises various rectangular boxes and trays decorated with designs relating to Western playing cards. The trays are variously embellished with figures from the suit of diamonds comprising the Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen and Ace.

The large rectangular tea caddy: It is possible to identify various scenes set in Canton. The cover depicts a bustling scene with Chinese New year celebrations taking place in front of a temple. In the distance is the 'Flowery Pagoda' , the mosque, and the 'Five-Storey Pagoda'. The front side of the box depicts a dragon boat racing along the river front with the hongs visible in the background. The two other sides depict figures at leisure in pleasure gardens.

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Condition report

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

We have sought to record changes in the condition of this piece acquired after its initial manufacture.

All boxes and covers have rubbing to the gilt, scratches, cracks and surface wear in keeping with their age.

The octagonal games box with claw feet: measures 36.5 cm wide:
Covers: some light rubbing to the gilt and enamels, scattered small losses, in particular to the corners of the cover and the edges of the cover. Several splits to the cover, the largest measuring max. approx. 28 cm long. One corner has an area of restoration measuring max. approx. 3 cm x 1 cm. The other corners of the cover also have wear and some restoration, the largest of which is 4 cm x 2.5 cm. Some small losses and shallow chips to the interior of the cover and in several places to the exterior, the largest measuring max approx. 1 cm x 0.3 cm.
The interior compartments, the trays and boxes with covers are all in very good condition.

The rectangular games box with RJB monogram, measures 37.5 cm wide.
Cover: there is damage to all four corners of the games box with cracks, restoration in a number of places.
Interior: good overall condition with some scratches to the trays.
The covers of the boxes all bear the RJB monogram.
The inside cover of one box bears a red paper label reading "Sotheby's Belgravia 317799".

Rectangular tea caddy: measures 34 cm wide.
It is missing its original pewter tea caddies.
Extensive rubbing to the top of the cover with various cracks and losses, the largest loss measuring max. approx. 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm.; various areas of light restoration where there are losses. Various losses to the black lacquer base, the largest loss measuring max. approx. 7 cm x 1 cm. The base also has four rectangular pieces of yellow felt stuck to the corners. The base is also extensively scratched.

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