Description
A Ming style Chinese or Japanese finely carved cinnabar lacquer lychee seal paste box and cover. A large numbers of similarly shaped boxes were exported to Japan where they were used in the tea ceremony typically to hold incense. The surface depicting 5 lychees set against leafy branches, the side in a key fret border, the inside a black lacquer. Significant dust layering from incense in the cracks implies this to be true for this particular box. Possibly Chinese 16th century, although a later Japanese origin cannot be ruled out. Japanese lacquer craftsmen were known to work in the Chinese style with some examples indistinguishable from Chinese works. Minor damage and separation to the lacquer.
SOLD