A finely carved cinnabar lacquer 'peony' box and cover,  Mark and period of Yongle 明永樂 剔紅纏枝牡丹圓蓋盒 《大明永樂年製》款 of circular form, superbly carved on the top and around the sides through thick layers of red lacquer to reveal the ochre-yellow ground, the flat top of the box rendered with three large peony blooms with frilly petals, wreathed by budding blossoms and dense foliage, the sides of the cover and box similarly carved with a composite floral band comprising camellias, pomegranates, chrysanthemums and peonies, the interior and recessed base lacquered black, the base incised with a vertical six-character reign mark, Japanese wood box 16.3 cm