This covered box in carved cinnabar lacquer (tihong), made in China in the second half of the nineteenth century, has a lenticular form composed of two precisely fitted sections. The lid is carved in a deep red lacquer, its low yet clearly defined relief complemented by exceptionally fine incising, visible even in the minute textures of the ground, foliage and mountain planes.

The subject is unusual for this type of object. At the centre of a landscape, two peasants appear in a scene of everyday life: one at work, the other carrying a child. Its deliberately modest human narrative departs from the more familiar themes of scholars, immortals or major historical episodes, giving the box a more intimate, almost descriptive character. Despite their small scale, the figures are carefully rendered with fine, regular cuts and a degree of detail that avoids a repetitive decorative effect.

The sides are covered with a consistently incised geometric pattern, its closely spaced motifs catching the light and emphasising the material quality of the lacquer. Such work requires numerous superimposed layers of lacquer, which are subsequently carved; this accounts for the visual density of the red and the crisp profiles of a well-preserved object. The decoration remains remarkably fresh overall. There are only a few small areas of damage to the interior, which do not significantly affect its presentation, while the exterior remains in very good condition.

Diameter: 18.5 cm; height: 10 cm.