Footnotes

十七/十八世紀 竹雕松鼠松樹紋蓋盒

Provenance: Douglas Wright, London, 1970's (collector's notes)

來源： Douglas Wright，倫敦，1970年代（藏家筆記）

The pine tree (song 松) is a potent symbol of longevity, resilience, and steadfastness. Revered for its ability to endure harsh winter conditions, the pine often thrives in rocky, barren landscapes, growing even in the face of extreme weather and adversity. This enduring strength makes the pine tree a powerful metaphor for perseverance, integrity, and unwavering determination. It is frequently associated with the ideal qualities of a scholar or gentleman in Confucian thought, symbolising an individual who remains upright and unyielding despite external pressures, much like the pine tree's resilience in the most challenging environments.

The symbolism of the pine tree is further enriched when paired with the squirrel (songshu 松鼠; literally 'pine mouse'), which is often depicted in Chinese art and folklore. The squirrel, a common companion to the pine tree, represents vitality, agility, and cleverness. Together, the pine and squirrel embody the virtues of perseverance and intelligence, often evoking the idea of maintaining one's integrity and resourcefulness in the face of life's challenges.

The box carved in the shape of a pine trunk with the two halves fit together perfectly, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship. See a related covered box in she shaped of a pine trunk, Ming dynasty, illustrated by S.Kwan, Ming and Qing Bamboo, Hong Kong, 2000, p.164, pl.9. See a similar bamboo 'pine' box and cover, Qing dynasty, in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing (acc.no. 新00091957). Compare also with a related zitan box and cover with pine and bamboo, but containing a book inside, Qianlong, in the Qing Court Collection, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Small Refined Articles of the Study, Shanghai, 2009, p.308, no.306. Another similar bamboo 'pine' box and cover, 17th century, is illustrated by Ip Yee and L.C.S.Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, vol.II, Hong Kong, 1982, pp.244-245, no.59.

Compare with a related oval bamboo box and cover, 17th century, which was sold at Sotheby's New York, 18 March 2008, lot 37.