Western Morning News (Saturday)
Chinese gem looks set to attract great interest
A CHINESE box and cover, estimated to sell for thousands of pounds, has been discovered by Charterhouse at a client’s house after a lockdown sort-out.
“The owner moved home several years ago and during the coronavirus lockdown finally unpacked the last few remaining boxes,” commented Richard Bromell. “There was silver and other small antiques which lay hidden underneath the bed, gathering dust. However, for me it was the Chinese red box which stood out like a sore thumb, heads and shoulders above all the other items.”
The Chinese heart shaped box and cover is estimated to sell for £2,000-£4,000 in the Charterhouse specialist auction of Asian Art in its two-day auction on November 5 and 6.
Made of red cinnabar lacquer, it has survived travelling thousands of miles, numerous house moves and two World Wars in pretty good condition with a just few chips.
Lacquer has been used in China for at least 3,000 years. The technique of carving into very thick coatings appears to have been developed in the 12th century. It is extremely time-consuming to produce, and has always been a luxury product, essentially restricted to China, although imitated in Japanese lacquer in somewhat different styles. Today, the demand for Chinese red lacquer is high, not only from China but also collectors from Europe and America. With all Charterhouse auctions being online, the auctioneers are expecting the bidding to be fast and furious from around the world for all the lots.
Contact Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse,
Sherborne. Tel: 01935 81227.