CINNABAR LACQUER 'IMMORTAL' PEACH-FORM BOX AND COVER
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
清 剔紅八仙人物鍾離權紋桃式蓋盒the domed cover carved with a central cartouche depicting one of the Eight Immortals, Zhongli Quan, holding his fan attribute surrounded by a pine tree canopy and rockwork, further enclosed by a band of bats with interlocking wings, all reserved on a honeycomb ground, the box similarly decorated, the interior and base lacquered in black
13.5cm wide; 278g 
From the collection of Commander Malcolm Stuart Leslie Burnett (1904-1984), Aberdeen. Stationed in Asia circa 1920s-1940s when serving in the Royal Navy working for the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). Thence by direct descent. 
A comparable cinnabar lacquer peach-shaped box and cover, Qing dynasty, 18th century, also depicts Zhongli Quan, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 November 2022, lot 558. Two more comparable and slightly larger peach-form boxes and covers are in the Palace Museum, Taipei, respectively depicting He Xiangu, museum no. Guqi 故漆205, and depicting Zhang Guolao, museum no. Zhongqi 中漆47.