each with three tiers exquisitely constructed with zitan inlaid with ivory to simulate three scrolls resting atop a set of four albums, the brocade wrappers and cloth case skilfully depicted with zitan, and the titleslips, straps, fasteners and paper with ivory, the materials further intricately detailed, including a dense diaper of wan symbols on the brocade wrappers of the scrolls, all atop a low tier with an inner foliate scroll flange carved in openwork and supported on four short bracket feet

Jeremy Mason Ltd, London, 1980s.

This exquisitely conceived pair of boxes is remarkable for the combination of elements which have been masterfully executed resulting in a harmonious design. Each skilfully modelled to simulate three scrolls and a set of four albums, such elaborate curiosity pieces are very rare and would have enjoyed a place of prestige in an elegant scholar’s studio. For a similarly carved zitan box, but in the form of six scrolls surmounting an album, compare an example in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition Qing Legacies: The Sumptuous Art of Imperial Packaging, The Macao Museum of Art, Macau, 2000, cat. no. 3, together with a carved cinnabar lacquer example in the form of three scrolls stacked on two albums and raised on a stand, cat. no. 2. According to the catalogue, the Qianlong Emperor's love of painting and calligraphy fuelled the development of boxes for such treasured items. The characteristics of these containers included the use of choice materials, the preferences being zitan, carved lacquer, cloisonné and bamboo, due to their durability and fine quality which would complement the painting and calligraphy. The shape and decoration of these containers were also carefully considered to reflect both their contents and the imperial authority of the emperor. The title slips of the scrolls of the present pair, however, remain uninscribed, suggesting that they might not have been designated to hold specific scrolls.