A Remarkable Rarity | The Story of a £143,000 Dragon Box

A Remarkable Rarity | The Story of a £143,000 Dragon Box

Discover the opulence of a rare Chinese 'dragon' box, carved from prized zitan wood, which achieved a staggering £143,000 in our November Asian Art sale.

13 November 2023 

 

EXPLORE DEPARTMENT     REQUEST A VALUATION     CONTACT A SPECIALIST

 

A rare Chinese 'dragon' box crafted from zitan wood fetched a staggering £143,000 (including buyers premium), emerging as the highest-priced item in our dedicated November Asian Art sale.

The 49cm wide casket, that would have been used to store precious objects, is made almost exclusively of zitan, a purplish-black, fine-grained timber (so dense that it sinks in water), that was the preferred wood of the imperial workshops. Suitable for fine and intricate carving, in this case the box is adorned with the powerful dynastic images of the five-clawed dragon amidst clouds (symbol of the emperor) and phoenixes (the empress).

 

A Chinese zitan wood box and cover (£143,000)

A Chinese zitan wood box and cover (£143,000)

 

By the early Qing period, zitan had become a very expensive commodity (many of the native species had been exhausted during the Ming dynasty) and its use was carefully controlled. When this box was made by master Chinese carpenters in the 18th or early 19th century, it would have been extraordinarily expensive. It remains so today. The box, that came for sale from a private seller who inherited it from grandparents who lived in Bullwood Hall, Hockley, Essex between 1930-1950.

 

A Chinese zitan wood box and cover (£143,000)

A Chinese zitan wood box and cover (£143,000)

 

“Zitan is China’s most revered wood and this dragon chest was superbly carved suggesting it was made in the imperial workshops, perhaps in the reign of the emperor Qianlong. It was not in perfect condition – it had several cracks – but buyers agreed it was another special discovery by our team.”       

- Yexue Li Head of Asian Art.

 


 

Thinking of selling? Contact our specialists for a free auction valuation and sales advice.

CONTACT SPECIALIST

 


 

 


 

Recent News

 

Inside the Relaunch

As you may be aware, Sworders’ London gallery at 15 Cecil Court was temporarily closed throughout much of June for refurbishment. We are delighted to say that we have now reopened for business, five days a week 11am-6pm and look forward to welcoming all our customers to a new-look space. Here Lizzie Lardner, head of Sworders London, talks about her plans for the gallery.

30 July 2025

A Photographic Rarity

A haunting carte-de-visite of David Livingstone’s coffin attended by Jacob Wainwright, captured in 1874, offers a remarkable glimpse into history. We are honoured to include this poignant photograph in our upcoming Out of the Ordinary sale, on Tuesday 19 August.

25 July 2025

Rebel Yell | Punk’s Battle Cry Against the Establishment

Join us for a journey through time as we reminisce the Punk revolution and its lasting effects woven through every part of popular culture, film, art and fashion, ahead of our 19 August Out of the Ordinary auction, where Punk makes a bold feature.

25 July 2025

 


 

Get Sworders News