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
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)
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)
“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.
With original elements dating back to 1592, York’s Tenement, in Yoxford, Suffolk, stands today as a remarkable testament to the preservation of historic dwellings and interiors, and the unique character they embody.
28 May 2024
Despite being a short-lived movement of only seven years, pioneering designer Ettore Sottsass and his fellow postmodernists of the Memphis Group continue to define the landscape of contemporary design, with their witty and whimsical designs that, despite being designated a fad, continue to be a point in Design history that we love to revisit.
24 May 2024
Our upcoming auction features notable works from The House of St Barnabas (in liquidation), including a Banksy Soup Can screenprint, Rob Ryan's papercut The Map of My Entire Life, and the portrait Sisters by Portuguese artist Wanda Bernardino. These artworks, donated by the artists or their galleries, celebrate the legacy of the charity, which closed in 2024.