Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18

Chinese Black Lacquered Wood Box - Imperial Dragons - Ming Period Wanli 17th

About the Item

Magnificent box Imperial jewelry box in black lacquered wood decorated with dragons. This wonderful box is lacquered on a black background with patterns painted in red, green, white and gold on the lid and around. The decoration consists of two five-clawed dragons fighting to chase the sacred pearl represented in the center of the lid of the box. A dragon is represented on the front of the box, another on each side. The main scene representing the dragons is decorated with scrollwork and lotus flowers. The fittings are in bronze. The front closure system is lotus shaped. The interior of the box is black lacquered. The Dragons represented here systematically have 5 claws, which makes them Imperial dragons. The dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China for two millennia. In ancient times, it was one of the four magical animals. It is also one of the twelve cyclical animals of the Chinese calendar. We find dragons represented in most ancient mythologies. The legs of the Chinese dragon have 3 to 5 claws, which indicate the “rank” that the dragon occupies among its peers. The 5-clawed dragon is considered the most powerful. Only the Emperor of China could use this emblem, as well as his family. This is why any element of clothing, furniture or architecture bearing the 5-clawed dragon was attributed to the imperial family and respected as such. Beautiful dimensions for this superb box, a wonderful vestige of Chinese history. Lacquered wood - China - Ming Period WANLI XVIIth ​
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.53 in (11.5 cm)Width: 13.78 in (35 cm)Depth: 9.85 in (25 cm)
  • Style:
    Ming (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Wood,Lacquered
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1600
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. some lack of lacquer on the corners due to age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Beuzevillette, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2663338114632

More From This Seller

View All
China 18th Century Chinese Decoration Element in Lacquered and Gilded Wood
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Interesting element probably coming from a lacquered and gilded wood furniture or panel representing a tripod - shaped vase with curved legs with...
Category

Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Giltwood, Wood, Lacquer

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood; 19th century The lid is decorated with a landscape with a bird, trees and a setting sun. The inside of the box is covered with a lacque...
Category

Late 20th Century Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood. The lid is decorated with golden herons and flowering tree branches and signed by the artist. Black flowers are painted around the box. ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood. The lid is decorated with flowering magnolia branches and signed by the artist. The inside of the box is covered with a paint loaded wit...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

Three Black Japanese Lacquer Nesting Boxes with Two Keys, Late 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful set of three black Japanese lacquer nesting boxes with their two keys. Decorated with birds and orange, gold and green foliage. The 3 boxes fit together. The escutcheon ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japanese Lacquered Box Signed, Late 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty Japanese lacquered box decorated with birds and foliage. signed Lacquered inside and outside Late 19th century Without key Nice lock Ideal for storing jewelry.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

Japanese Lacquer Incense Box, Kogo, Momoyama or Edo Period, 16th/17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful Japanese lacquer incense box, kogo, with a design of plovers in flight, late Momoyama or early Edo Period, circa 1600, Japan. The small box, called a kogo, was used to s...
Category

Antique Early 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold, Pewter

19th Century Golden Black Lacquer Chinese Jewelry Box with Dragon Feet
Located in Brea, CA
19th century lift-lid gilt-decorated golden black lacquer Chinese jewelry box with dragon feet and key.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antiquities

Materials

Lacquer

Rare 17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Medical Instrument Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare Japanese export lacquer medical instrument box Edo-period, 1650-1700 L. 19 x W. 6 x H. 8.5 cm This unconventionally shaped lacquer b...
Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold

19th Century Chinese Black Lacquer Work Box
Located in Tampa, FL
The 19th century Chinese black lacquer work box has most of the interior with handles on each side. With dragon feet
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Black Lacquer Snack Box, c. 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered box was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box w...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer box from the Qing dynasty. Used as box for nails made of lacquered wood. Oriental scenes in golden. In ve...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Recently Viewed

View All