AN IMPERIAL SET OF IVORY ‘XIANGQI’ PIECES WITH PAINTED LACQUER COVERED BOXES

QING DYNASTY, YONGZHENG PERIOD (1723-1735)

HEIGHT OF BOXES (INCLUDING COVERS): 7.2CM
DIAMETER OF XIANGQI PIECES: 3.7CM

The set of xiangqi comprises two sets of sixteen pieces. Each set has a single incised character painted in gilt-lacquer against a patterned ground of prunus blossoms stained red and green on both sides. The reverse side of the red set is incised with a crane clasping a lingzhi branch in its beak, whereas the green set shows a descending bat. Both sets are painted on the rounded edges with scrolling flowers on a brown ground. The two sets of xiangqi pieces fit in a pair of brown lacquer boxes of square form, which are decorated in gilt lacquer with dense medallions of lingzhi clusters surrounded by leafy lotus scroll borders.

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
A carved jade example of a set of xiangqi pieces in the National Palace Museum collection is published in the illustrated volume of Wenfang juying (2 Volumes) 文房聚英（全二冊）（圖版篇）, 1993, Catalogue No. 171.

A black lacquer box and cover with similar gilt and coloured lacquer decoration is published in Selected Handicrafts from the Collections of the Palace Museum 故宮博物院藏工藝品選, 1974, Catalogue No. 71.

PROVENANCE
A French Private Collection, acquired in the early 20th Century