Gilt Lacquer Stacking Box

This finely painted box was once presented as a gift, filled with popular snacks like roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and cinnamon-toasted soy beans. Used like a modern lunchbox, each tier of the stacking box would have been filled with foods and snacks and presented before a loved one to celebrate a wedding, new year, or other occasion.

This example dates to the late 19th century and is lavishly decorated with hand-painted gilt designs atop layers of red and black lacquer. The three-tier box has a cylindrical form and is patterned with three red cartouche panels of bird-and-flower scenery. The cloud-form panels are surrounded by allover diaper patterns and flanked by wing bats and shou characters, a motif for longevity and blessings. The round lid is further decorated with a shou character medallion and floral scrollwork of peony blossoms. Perfectly aged with subtle patina, this gilt lacquer stacking box is a delightful way to add color and texture to modern interiors.