Bidspirit auction | Yuan Dynasty, Carved Red Lacquer

Yuan Dynasty, Carved Red Lacquer Round Box with Tao Yuanming Picking Chrysanthemums - The box is of circular form, the cover fitting snugly onto the body. It is fully coated with thick layers of red lacquer, decorated in the carved red lacquer technique with deeply cut relief designs. The central panel on the cover is carved with a landscape and courtyard scene: a thatched cottage stands among chrysanthemum blooms by a low fence, with a figure strolling leisurely—depicting the classic scene of Tao Yuanming picking chrysanthemums by the Eastern Fence. Beyond, rolling mountains rise amid dense trees, the composition arranged in distinct receding layers. Surrounding the central panel, the sides of the cover and the exterior of the box body are carved with large, full-blossoming flowers and scrolling foliage, each petal and leaf vein sharply defined with smooth, rounded contours. The lacquer has a rich, deep red tone; the carving is bold and vigorous, with subtle color variations visible along cut edges and successive layers. The vessel as a whole is generously proportioned, its decoration dense yet clearly structured in tiered relief.