A huanghuali rectangular two-tiered picnic box and cover, Qing dynasty, 19th century.
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The wood of attractive matt lustrous warm finish and well-figured, of rectangular form, comprising two plain trays, one with a detachable liner, and a domed cover, flanked by standing openwork spandrels joined at the top with a humpbacked handle. Measure 15x18.5x28 cm.
Restored.
Provenance
From the Collection of Klas E Böök (1909-1980), thence by descent. A Swedish diplomat and civil servant. Mr Böök first had a career within banking, that led up to the position of Governor of the Swedish National Bank from 1948 to 1951. His diplomatic career began when he was appointed head of the Commercial Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and envoy from 1947 to 1948. He was minister in Ottawa from 1951 to 1956, ambassador in Beijing from 1956 to 1961, also accredited as envoy to Bangkok from 1956 to 1959. Böök was ambassador in New Delhi, also accredited to Colombo and Kathmandu from 1961 to 1965 and in Bern from 1965 to 1972. He had special assignments for the Foreign Ministry from 1972 to 1975.
Exhibitions
Compare a box of this type sold at Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, 12 May 2011. Live Auction, London, New Bond Street. Lot 210.
To see other lots sold from the Collection of Klas E. Böök, see a Zitan Altartable with cloisonne placques, Bukowskis, Sale 649, lot no 981.
Literature
Art from the Scholars Studio, a Catalogue of an exhibition presented by the Oriental Ceramics Society of Hong Kong, 24 October - 23 December 1986. Discusses on page 250; about how the picknick box appears frequently in woodblock illustrations. The Sancai Tuhui, an encyclopedia of 1607 describes it as a picknick box for travelling in the moutains, contents for various dishes, bottom section for chopsticks, wine cups etc.
More information
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.