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10. Round, Straight-edged Box
Ming dynasty, 15th century
Carved red and black lacquer (tixi)
h. 3 in. diam. 9¼ in.
137,913
from Julia M. White, Masterpieces of Chinese Lacquer: From the Mike Healy Collection, China Institute, New York

The very sharp and deeply cut surface of this box permits an ideal view of the repeated layers of red and black lacquer. The design is a central swirl surrounded by two bands of sword-pommel patterns, typical of the style favored for these tixi boxes and plates. The sides of the box are decorated with a flowing spiral design.

© 2005 on loan to China Institute from the Honolulu Academy of Arts; photography by Suzo Uemoto.

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