A rare Chinese cinnabar lacquer circular 'lotus' box and cover, Ming dynasty, early 15th century, finely carved to the lid with central lotus seed pods inside an engraved lozenge band, and a row of stylised lotus petals, the base carved with a matching band of lotus petals, recessed, black lacquered base, black lacquered interior, 7.5cm diameterProvenance: Private London collectionNote: A number of cinnabar boxes of this design are accompanied by a matching tray (Cf. Christies Hong Kong, 1st December 2010, Lot 3076), suggesting that they were used in temple tea ceremonies. Cf. Sothebys New York, Important Chinese Art, 12th September 2018, Lot 253