Description: Chinese lacquer box, melon or gourd shape, c. 1900. Hand painted decoration of butterflies and fruit, in shades of gold with black, on a red background. The interior of the box is a deep brown. This piece comes with a stand.

History: Lacquer is a natural substance obtained from the lacquer tree. The tree is indigenous to China, which is why China leads the world in lacquer resources. When an object is coated with lacquer, it can no longer be distinguished as being made from a certain of material, therefore, all objects coated with lacquer are referred to as lacquerware. Lacquerware is moisture-proof and resistant to heat, acid, and alkali, and its color and luster can easily last beyond a few hundred years, adding beauty to its practical use. Many different areas are fit to grow the lacquer or varnish tree, but most of the raw lacquer comes from 5 provinces: Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan. Lacquerware extends back to the remote ages of China. Lacquer-painted black pottery objects existed during the Neolithic Age. Ancient Chinese found that the sap of lacquer trees has a strong adhesive quality as well as a beautiful gloss, and so it was used as a protective, adhesive, and beautifying agent for implements.

Provenance: Helen & Dr. Roland Kohen, Miami, FL

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.25 | Height(in) = 2.25 | Width(in) = 3 | Depth(in) = 3

Size of Artwork(in): 2.25' x 3" x 3"

Artist Name: N/A

Medium: Wood

Circa: c. 1900

Good condition, with one chip to the lacquer on the lid.