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Qing Dynasty Period Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer 'Longevity' Box

清代剔红“寿”字圆形漆盒

By: Unknown (bearing apocryphal Qianlong reign mark)

Style: Qing Dynasty Cinnabar Lacquer Ware

Origin: China

Materials: Carved cinnabar lacquer over wood, black lacquer interior

Age: Circa 1880–1920 (Late Qing Dynasty to Republic Period)

Condition: Very Good (Minor edge wear, surface scratches, some small losses to lacquer; all typical for age)

Value: $1,500–$3,000 (if late Qing/Republic); considerably less if deemed modern reproduction

Maker's Marks / Writing: 四字方形篆书印款，疑为“大清乾隆年制”——常见于后期仿品。

Date: 2025-06-22 18:33:05.418965

Description:

A large, round Chinese cinnabar lacquer box, deeply and intricately carved with auspicious motifs. The domed lid features a prominent character '寿' (Shou, meaning longevity) at the center, surrounded by radiating rays, bats (symbolizing good fortune), clouds, dragons, and additional motifs of immortals and waves. The side panels depict scenes with figures in landscape settings. The interior and base are finished in black lacquer, and the base presents a four-character seal mark that appears to emulate an imperial mark, likely '大清乾隆年制' (Made in the Qianlong period of Great Qing), though such marks are often apocryphal. This type of box was used for presenting gifts or storing precious objects. The quality of carving and wear, as well as stylistic details, suggest a late Qing dynasty to Republic period date (late 19th to early 20th century), though the mark attempts to evoke the much earlier Qianlong period.     一件大型圆形中国剔红漆盒，雕刻精深且复杂，饰有吉祥图案。盒盖正中雕有“寿”字，周围放射状云纹、蝙蝠（寓意福气）、龙和其他长寿及福禄图案。侧壁饰有人物山水场景。内膛及底部施黑漆，底部有仿乾隆“ 大清乾隆年制 ”篆书四字款，常见于晚清民国仿古作品。本品用于存放礼品或珍贵物品。雕刻工艺、磨损及风格细节判断，应为清末民初（19世纪末至20世纪初）制，虽底款有意强调清乾隆时期，可视为仿古。

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

This is a fine example of late Qing to early Republic period carved lacquerwork, exhibiting auspicious motifs and decorative figural scenes characteristic of its era. The presence of a Qianlong mark is intended to confer prestige but is likely apocryphal. Quality of carving is good and displays traditional techniques, though the detail and finish do not match imperial standards. Some wear and minor surface losses are visible, which do support some age, but buyers must be cautious: the market is saturated with 20th-century reproductions. Best viewed as a high-quality antique or vintage piece rather than an imperial artifact.     本品属清末民初剔红漆器，雕工精美，寓意吉祥，表现了当时工艺水准，底有乾隆年制仿款。雕刻细致但不及官作标准，表面有一定磨损和轻微磕碰，显示年代感，但需注意市场充斥20世纪高仿品。本件宜作为高档古董或民国老物件收藏，不宜归为清宫御制。

Individual Images:

• Detail images show the crispness of the carving
• multidimensionality of figural scenes
• and typical age-related wear. The base image presents a four-character apocryphal Qianlong mark
• which is well-proportioned but likely spurious. The side close-up reveals slight chipping to raised elements and subtle lacquer losses
• but no egregious restoration or repaint. The interior's black lacquer is scuffed and reveals handling marks consistent with historical use.

Provenance:

No provenance information provided; no supporting documentation or old photographs visible in images.

Condition:

Very Good (Minor edge wear, surface scratches, some small losses to lacquer; all typical for age)

Identification Score: 92%

The object's materials, form, motifs, carving style, and apocryphal reign mark match well-documented examples of late Qing/Republic cinnabar lacquer boxes. All key iconography is coherent with Chinese decorative tradition. Only slight uncertainty remains due to the high volume of reproductions in this field.     此物的材质、外形、题材、雕刻风格与大量清末民国剔红漆盒吻合，装饰图案符号均为传统吉祥内容。仅因该领域仿品众多而留有小部分不确定性。

Authenticity Score: 45%

While the box displays authentic wear and age-appropriate carving quality, the prevalence of successful 20th-century fakes—many marked with apocryphal Qianlong reign marks—prevents a higher score. Without hands-on surface analysis and provenance, it is safer to assign mid-range authenticity and recommend buyer diligence.     尽管本品表现出一定使用磨损及工艺风格符合年代，但20世纪仿制品极多，乾隆年款尤为常见。若无详细来源及实物检测，仅能中等偏低分数，建议收藏者谨慎甄别。

Image Memory Note

The object is a large, round Chinese cinnabar lacquer box with a domed lid, deeply carved with the character '寿' (Shou, Longevity) surrounded by clouds, bats, dragons, rays, immortals, and geometric motifs. The side panels display figural scenes of people in landscapes, including trees, pavilions, and patterned bands with floral scrolls and ruyi clouds. Minor wear and small chips are visible on the raised carved areas and rims. The box interior and the base are finished in black lacquer. The base bears a four-character square seal mark, likely reading '大清乾隆年制' (Made in the Qianlong period of Great Qing), but stylistically, it resembles common late Qing/Republic period works and apocryphal mark usage. There is no visible documentation, receipts, or provenance photos provided in these images.     本物为大型圆形剔红漆盒，盖面雕“寿”字，四周有云纹、蝙蝠、龙、光芒、仙人和几何装饰。侧面带有人物山水场景、楼阁、树木、花卉纹和如意云带。雕刻区和边缘见有磨损及小磕碰，表面多处出现年代痕迹。内外壁施黑漆，底部有四字方形“乾隆年制”仿款，风格为晚清民国时期常见版本，无见到配套单据或老照片等证明来源材料。

Keywords

Qing dynasty, cinnabar lacquer, Chinese lacquerware, longevity box, apocryphal Qianlong mark, antique Chinese box, Qing period, China     清代，剔红，漆器，寿字盒，仿乾隆印款，中国古董盒，清末民国，中国

Report ID:  : nm25b8

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