Large Imperial shallow box, with rounded sides and flanged rim, the matching cover with almost flat top. With many layers of ochre-yellow, green and red lacquer applied over a wood base. Carved on the top, a circular panel within a ‘meander scroll’ border, with a large character chun (‘spring’) on a ground of spreading phoenix-tail feathers in red and green, and superimposed, a roundel with a figure of Shoulao (god of long life) holding a fly-whisk, with below, a basket filled with auspicious emblems. Above, on either side, a pair of five-clawed imperial dragons among clouds. Round the sides of both cover and box, four cartouches with figures in landscapes, on a ground of green lozenge-diaper, with separate auspicious emblems between, and lingzhi scroll borders at the rim. The interior lacquered black, and on the black base, incised and filled with gold, the six-character reign-mark. Below, the inscription:

春壽寳盒

Chunshou baohe

‘Spring and longevity’ precious boxes

Text adapted from Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen: Volume III.