18th century
The two fitted halves of compressed circular section, the exterior surfaces deeply and intricately incised in lacquer of red, yellow, and green hues, the top centered by a large roundel of dragons to either side of a large chun ('spring') character surrounding a small figural reserve of Shoulao all atop a vine and lotus adorned basket of the eight treasures emitting oblique rays, all encircled in concentric rings of waves, auspicious bats and stylized lotus petals, the sides on the top half with complex reserves of dragons amid clouds upon a complex geometric ground interspersed with additional babao motifs above a leiwen meander at the mouth rim, the exterior of the bottom half similarly rendered in reserves of auspicious bats and supported by a raised foot encircling the unadorned black lacquer base, the interior of the box highlighted with possibly later added floral sprigs in gilt.
6in (15.5cm) high
14in (35.5cm) diameter