China. The domed cover finely carved through thick layers of cinnabar lacquer with Budai seated on his sack and waving a fan out of reach of three frolicking boys, the floor carved with a floral hexagonal diaper below a neatly incised wave ground repeated to the sides of the box carved with lotus blossoms and leafy sprays above the thick rim, the interiors and recessed base lacquered black.

Provenance: From an Austrian private collection.
Condition: Good condition with little wear, short hairline cracks to the rims, few nicks, small touchups and repairs, surface scratches, and minor chips.

Weight: 58.5 g
Dimensions: Diameter 7 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's London, 6 November 2019, lot 142
Price: GBP 12,500 or approx. EUR 19,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small carved cinnabar lacquer seal paste box and cover, Ming dynasty, 16th/17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, diaper patterns, form, and size (6.4 cm).