Covered round box in carved red Peking lacquer (cinnabar lacquer), called diaoqi, China, 19th century A circular box consisting of a wooden core entirely covered with thick carved cinnabar lacquer, a traditional Chinese technique known as 雕漆 (diaoqi), often referred to in the West as Peking lacquer. The lid is finely carved in relief with a scene of a scholar in a mountainous landscape. He is shown seated, playing the guqin, while a young assistant brings him a cup of tea. The scene unfolds against a backdrop of stylized mountains, rocks, trees and pavilions. The perimeter of the lid and the sides of the box are adorned with a continuous decoration of foliage scrolls and flowers, also carved in lacquer, framed by Greek-style geometric friezes. The interior is black lacquered. Diameter: 18 cm Some wear and missing lacquer.