Chinese Cinnabar Lacquered Enameled Lidded Box

Large well crafted Chinese cinnabar lacquered vase with handles and brass lining.

Antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne enamel lidded koro incense burner standing on brass footed base. Embellished with stylized phoenix birds, geometrical ornaments, along with fl...

Murano heavy glass lidded casket box with gold/brass frame resting on paw feet. The box is clear glass octagon with interior grey/green oval hollow. Stamped on metal frame G.S.E Ott...

A truly luxurious Murano vase styled with thick twisted clear and blood orange colored hand blown glass. Squared shaped at top tapering smaller at base. Vase is expertly crafted and ...

This exquisite work of art made during the Late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911/12) which was known for its artistic achievements and craftsmanship. The octagon shaped vase is adorned with i...

A petite Chinese cinnabar lacquered turtle box, circa 1980's. The box is in very good vintage condition and measures 3.5"W x 2.5"D x 1.75"H. #3427

Deeply carved round cinnabar box with straight sides and a blue enameled interior and underfoot. The unusual design is a stylized phoenix bird - its claws and tail are disguised as s...

This intriguing Chinese zhadou is intricately carved of fine cinnabar lacquer. A work of exceptional artistry, this covered bowl is adorned with an intricately carved floral motif on all surfaces, including the cover and the wide rim. Also known as a cuspidor or spittoon, this rare container would have been used by members of the imperial family and scholar- officials at the court. Carved during the Kangxi period (1662-1722), this charming piece exhibits the high detail and charm associated with items from that period, making it a true treasure, Early 18th century (Kangxi dynasty) Measures: 6 ¼” wide x 3 ¼” high Cinnabar has been revered for its color all over the world. It has been found in the royal burial chambers of the Mayas, in the rituals of India, and in the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. In China, cinnabar and gold were the two most important elements in alchemy. Mined since the Neolithic Age, cinnabar is the ore of mercury, and as such, it can be incredibly toxic, especially when mining. In fact, during the Roman Empire, miners at Spain’s Almadén mine in Spain were frequently exposed to mercury fumes, and the subsequent, often fatal, sickness was considered an occupational hazard. The most popular known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquer-ware, a technique that is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty, in which cinnabar is ground to a powder and added to clear lacquer. As with mining, there was inherent danger of mercury poisoning for those who carved the lacquer, as mercury was also released into the air when artisans ground the pigments. Most antique cinnabar...