AN IMPERIAL CINNABAR LACQUER 'TAO YUANMING' LOBED OVAL BOX AND COVER Qianlong six-character mark...

AN IMPERIAL CINNABAR LACQUER 'TAO YUANMING' LOBED OVAL BOX AND COVER Qianlong six-character mark and of the period The domed cover carved in the central panel with the poet Tao Yuanming followed by a boy carrying books approaching his fenced garden with chrysanthemums, all within a mountainous landscape with plantain, water and pine trees, the sides carved with panels containing fruiting peach trees against grounds of archaistic scrolls, the box similarly decorated, the interior of the cover lacquered black and inscribed in gilt with dongli baohe, 'treasure box of the eastern fence'. 29cm (11 1/2in) wide. (2). Footnotes: 清乾隆 剔紅東籬寶盒 「大清乾隆年製」「東籬寶盒」楷書款 Provenance: C.A. Mincieux (1931-1960), Geneve, acquired 2 January 1929 (invoice) Professor Blum, Geneva, Switzerland Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London 來源：C.A. Mincieux，日內瓦，獲得於1929年1月2日（據收據） Blum教授，日內瓦，瑞士 倫敦古董商 Ben Janssens Oriental Art Tao Yuanming (365-427 AD), also known as Tao Qian, was a distinguished Chinese poet renowned for his profound connection with nature and his reclusive lifestyle. Throughout his life, Tao Yuanming preferred the tranquillity of rural life over the complexities of government service. He devoted much of his time to tending to his cherished chrysanthemums in his 'east fence garden' referenced in the inscription of the present lot, an activity that symbolised his desire for simplicity and retirement. In his poetry, Tao Yuanming frequently explored the themes of life's pleasures and challenges. He often reflected on his personal choice to withdraw from the bureaucratic world, finding solace and inspiration in the serene beauty of the natural environment. His works celebrate the harmony of nature and the inner peace it brings, portraying the countryside as an idyllic refuge from the turbulence of societal duties. Tao Yuanming's verses resonate with a deep appreciation for the modest joys of rural life, such as the blooming of flowers, the changing seasons, and the quiet contemplation of one's surroundings. His poetry remains a testament to the enduring human quest for balance, contentment, and a deeper connection with the natural world. See a related Imperial cinnabar lacquer box and cover with the similar theme of 'Tao Yuanming enjoying chrysanthemums', Qianlong mark and period, in the Qing Court Collection, in the Palace Museum Taipei (acc. no.故漆000085N000000000). See a similar carved cinnabar lacquer six-lobed box and cover, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 5 April 2016, lot 170. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing