VCM

Carved Lacquer Box
Schnitzlackdose: 23.68-70

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Why this is a
Masterpiece

This dazzling box is covered with a thick coating of red lacquer, into which auspicious symbols and floral patterns were carved. The carving was obviously done by an experienced artisan. It is beautifully executed and the overall outlay is balanced and pleasureable to look at. The box was obviously destined for a rich household, probably to offer sweetmeats.

History of the Object: unknown

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Type: Decorative Art
Materials: Red carved lacquer, probably wood (?)
Measurements: Width D 34 cm Height 8,5 cm
Creator name: unknown
Creator date: unknown
Where it was made: China
Geography: China
Time period: AD 17th century ~ AD 20th century
Creation date: 17th Century; 1644 - 1911; Qing Dynasty
Function: Box for offering delicacies
Acquisition: The box was put on sale by the Hamburg dealer Umlauff in 1907, together with a huge collection of objects from China, Mongolia, Tibet and Nepal. The museum was very interested, but did not have the money to buy the whole offer. Henry and Emma Budge, a wealthy couple of Hamburg patrician background, acquired this box together with other items, with the idea to give them to our museum later. The museum got the pieces in 1923.
Copyright: Saal/Museum für Völkerkunde Hamburg
Acknowledgements
Owner: Museum für Völkerkunde Hamburg
Museum: Museum of Ethnology, Hamburg
Credit line: Museum für Völkerkunde Hamburg, Inv.Nr. 23.68:70