This square form wine cup is lined with silver with a silver rim, now darkened from tarnish. The sides and foot are lacquered black and inlaid with abalone mother of pearl. The sides of the cup flare outward from the square foot and each displays a stylized scene of rocks, people and seascapes. There are some minor age cracks to the lacquer and a few pearl losses. The exterior base is unlacquered and appears to be metal – probably lead.

Height: 1 5/8 in., Width: 2 ¼ in. square.

This shallow, square tray-shaped dish in covered in black lacquer and inlaid with delicate abalone mother of pearl work, with touches of red, brown and gold lacquer. A central landscape scene of rocks, plants and butterflies is set in a black cartouche thinly framed with mother of pearl. The rest of the background and interior sides are sprinkled with fine abalone shell dust which gives this dish a blue-green sparkle. Mother of pearl butterflies and flower blossoms fill the area outside the cartouche, and around the perimeter o the interior base is painted a key-fret border in gold lacquer. The sides flare outward with slight bad wing corners and are rimmed with silver. One corner appears to have some old restoration. There are some small pearl losses in places on several of the butterflies. The back is lacquered black and the base is raised on four very low feet. There are some old but stable age cracks visible on the back.

Diameter: 4 ¼ in. square, Height: ½ in.

The deep red lacquer is thickly applied to a wooden base and carved in high relief. The slightly domed lid is carved with a garden scene consisting of pavilions and scholars in a landscape of thick foliage, trees, various rocks and a small bridge. The sides of the box are carved all around with a repeating floral design and the base is carved overall with diamond shaped florets. Minor cracking from age is present on the lid and around the sides of the box often seen on 17th and 18th century wares. Two corners on the sides of the lid appear to have restoration to the vertical edges. The raised lip on the interior bottom shows considerable wear and loss to one end. There is wear on the base and on the interior that is consistent with age and use. The lacquer work is generally in good condition for its age.

Length: 6 ¾ in., Width: 5 ¼ in., Height: 2 ¼ in.

This circular box is lacquered in brownish black with mother of pearl inlay encircling the lid which is well-fitted to the bottom box. The top is painted in slightly-raised gilt lacquer with two characters: “fu” and “shou,” for happiness and longevity. There is light wear to the edges of the lid, inner rims and to the base, as would be expected, and also a few minor touch-ups. Overall, considering the age and use, the box is in good condition with the mother of pearl all intact.

Diameter: 8 3/8 in., Height: 2 ½ in.,

Red and black lacquer applied over a bronze jar form with interior and base glazed with thick deep brilliant blue enamel. The bronze jars are first applied with red cinnabar lacquer which has been finely-carved with an undulating wave design. Overlying the red is a thick layer of well-carved black lacquer landscapes including rocky cliffs, trees, islands, dwellings and boats. On the neck is a deeply carved repeating floral design; a floral design also surrounds the tall foot. Framing the bottom of the landscape is a band of chrysanthemum petal carving encircling the lower body. The lids are carved with a floral arabesque surrounding a chrysanthemum carving and topped with a bud-shaped knop in carved solid black lacquer. The exposed areas of the bronze on the foot, mouth and lid rim are gilded. Jars are a mirror-image pair in very good condition with minor wear to the gilding on the foot and lid rim.

Height: 8 in.; Width: 5 ¼ in.

Lid is carved with a scene of two elderly sages in a rocky landscape with trees and a bridge. The sides are carved overall with a diamond pattern. The interior and base are lacquered black. Some minor age cracks and retouched chips to the interior rim, minor retouching of red lacquer to the rims of the lid and box bottom. General wear—all consistent with and indicative of its age.

Height: 2 1/8 in.; Diameter: 5 in.