Round Chinese Cinnabar Box with Lid. Red hand carved box. Lid has circular field with house and garden scene with 4 women and 8 children. Carving around sides of box has 7 garden scenes. History: A very good specimen. The scene of family playing in the garden, In the garden there are rocks and trees, maple and pine, and the children are at play. There is a house in the garden. On the rim of the box you see the Chinese characters--heart, the symbol of longevity. On the side of the box there are peony flowers the symbol of wealth and prosperity. There are four scenes of the four different seasons represented by trees growing during the four seasons, willow in spring, fall represented by the maple tree. Red is the color of happiness - used for weddings, often, and this box could be used to contain wedding cakes. The female children in the garden are performing an opera--play--note the flag, musical instruments and sword. How the box is made: basic shape is carved of wood. Cloth soaked in lacquer is shaped or formed onto the wood. Lacquer is brushed on the cloth in layer after layer. Design is then cared into layers of lacquer.
