An incredibly rare and exquisite early to mid-19th century Chinese gold lacquer and polychrome-decorated box, Fuzhou (Foochow), China, circa 1830-60.

Why we like it

Superb quality, exquisite gilt decoration, wonderfully preserved original condition. A museum-worthy piece for a true collector of only the best of its kind. 

Attribution

An 1876 account, retold by Carl L. Crossman in ‘The Decorative Arts of the China Trade’,  (Chapter 10 - Gilt-Decorated Lacquerware) mentions, among other things, that “...nearly all the lacquerware is manufactured in Canton, but magnificent specimens far exceeding the Canton ware in beauty, colour and fineness are turned out at Foochow. They are made by a single family said to be of Japanese origin, who brought the secret over with them and have retained it ever since.”

For much less sophisticated examples of comparable Foochow lacquerware, please see a couple of small boxes with lids at the Victoria & Albert Museum (ACCESSION NUMBER 1869-1888 and ACCESSION NUMBER 1870:1-1888).

Dimensions

Width: 38 cm / 15”
Depth: 26.5 cm / 10.5”
Height: 19 cm / 7.5”