Cleveland Museum of Art

Carved Lacquer Scroll Box

Date

1736–95

Medium

Red carved lacquer on wood

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The elaborate design, superior craftsmanship, and inscription carved into the red cinnabar lacquer proclaim the imperial pedigree of this scroll box. On either end is a five-clawed dragon, a design reserved only for an emperor. More dragons twist and wind through swirling clouds and waves along the length of the box’s sides and top. The carving is intricate and vigorous, while the design is controlled and regular. This box housed the private portraits of the Qianlong Emperor, his empress, and 11 other favorites among his presumed 40 or more wives during his 60-year reign. It was commissioned to be made in Suzhou when no more portraits were added to the scroll. An entry in the imperial workshop records relates to the Cleveland box. It states that in 1787, a box design with a dragon pattern, including the inscription, In his heart is envisioned a peaceful reign , was sent to a Suzhou workshop. Imperial portraits were collected in the Chonghua Palace in the Forbidden City, and the emperor’s portrait was kept in this red lacquer box from Suzhou. This is the original box for the handscroll Portraits of the Qianlong Emperor and His Twelve Consorts , CMA 1969.31 .

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.