This rectangular box is finely and deeply carved in ‘tixi’ style with classic elegant ruyi motifs through alternating layers of lustrous dark brown and red lacquer. It is a magnificent example of ‘tixi’ (literally ‘carved rhinoceras’) lacquer, in which the pattern was carved in the wide u-shaped or v-shaped line. It is decorated with scrolls radiating from the centre. Such scroll patterns have been described by the Chinese as ‘jianhuan’ and the Japanese as ‘guri’, which both mean ‘pommel scroll’. Lacquer is an important aspect of Chinese decorative arts. It comes from the resin of a tree indigenous to China and Japan. It is a product unique to the Far East and has been used in China since Neolithic times. Lightweight and aesthetically appealing, it was perhaps most valued for its durability (being water, heat and insect resistant). This box is an example of ‘tixi’ lacquer. Items decorated using this technique first appeared during the Song period, before becoming popular in the Yuan and Ming periods.
