Description
This particular box is not a common box, but rather is a scholar’s item and specifically referred to as a “book box” (书箱). Boxes in this form (and in other forms as well) were used by the literati to hold books, pens/ink, paper etc. One of the easiest ways to conceptualize such boxes is simply liken them to a satchel for books.
In many instances, book boxes were initially used by aspiring scholars as they made their way to Beijing in order to take part in the imperial examinations. Making such a long journey was costly and required much time. Along the way, one needed to review and prepare, which meant one also needed to bring along one’s daily necessities. “Book boxes” were one of several important items that accompanied these future scholars, along with the qin (琴) and the sword (剑); collectively known as “琴剑书箱.” This concept symbolized artistic accomplishment (the Qin), martial arts prowess (the sword) and finally literary and scholarly knowledge (book box). Combined they represent the cultural ideal of the scholar-official and literati.
“Stories Old and New” (喻世明言), a collection of short stories written by Feng Menglongin during the Ming dynasty even talks about book boxes, in a passage that describes a young scholar who carries with him a qín, a sword, and a book box, symbolizing the three pursuits of a learned man. Some wealthier families even employed a “book boy” who would “tune the Qin” and carry the book boxes which we see depicted in the Ming dynasty painting “Album of Xu Xianqing’s official career.” Thus book boxes were more than just functional objects – they were synonymous with the concepts of scholarly knowledge and status.
They style and basketry work of this particular box tells us it originates from somewhere near Ningbo (possibly Shaoxing or Jinhua). Extremely fine, densely cross woven bamboo panels are inset within a black lacquer frame. Between the basketry panels and the frame is rimmed a delicate beading, dusted with gold powdered lacquer. The interior in bright red lacquer, with traces of paper lining the bottom inside. It’s difficult to determine the wood used in construction although, a local softwood, perhaps beech or nanmu is a likely answer. All brass work from the hinges to the lock are all original as this item has been outside of China for almost 100 years (most brass work on items inside China is replacement due to the turmoil of the great leap forward in which brass was regularly melted down).
An 18th/19th century dating is reasonable based on comparison of earlier dated examples, which exhibit minor changes in the overall form (particularly the style of the brass work).
Size: 32 x 17 x 7.5
Also pictured here:
- Album of Xu Xianqing’s official career by Yu Shi, Wu Yuehe (余士、吴钺合画徐显卿宦迹图册) Ming Dynasty. Collection of the Palace museum
- A dated Qianlong reign book box sold at Auction in 2011 (to compare form and hardware)
- A Ming dynasty basketry box from the Mu Wen Tang collection 09 (to compare form and hardware)
