A carved cinnabar lacquer 'nine dragon' box and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period | 清乾隆 剔紅九龍紋圓蓋盒

Boxes of this size with an overall design of three-clawed dragons amid dramatically churning waves are relatively rare. The lack of borders separating the elements of the design from each other lends a feeling of vitality and movement emphasized by the sharp and very crisp carving. The five-clawed dragons incorporated into the design on this box suggest that it was made for use or display in one of the halls of one of the Imperial palaces. However, the box is not marked, yet in size and design belongs to the same group as a 'nine dragon' box and cover sold in Replica Shoes 's Hong Kong, 8th April 2011, lot 3151.