A carved Cinnabar Lacquer box and cover, Qianlong, probably Palace Workshop, of irregular ovoid section, with straight red lacquer sides, finely carved overall with diaper, the top beautifully modelled in low relief as two pomegranates among curling leaves and flowering boughs. One fruit has a round gash exposing many luscious seeds, emblematic of a polite wish for numerous sons. The overall red of the lacquer is very expressively varied with some details picked out in yellow and green. The flat base and the interior of the box are smoothly finished in black lacquer.