{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O12659"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O12659/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AF6486/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AF6486/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AF6486","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O12659/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O12659","accessionNumber":"FE.12-1974","objectType":"Food box","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This fine lacquer box was used in the 16th century to present edible gifts. The value and sophistication of the container were proportionate to the importance of the recipient and had special social significance. The recipient of the box would have returned it with another gift enclosed as a sign of gratitude.\r\n\r\nThe surface design of this box is known as <i>jian huan</i>, literally 'sword pommel rings', and was obtained by carving the alternating layers of red and black lacquer applied to the wooden base. The inside is plain so that it could accommodate different types of food.","physicalDescription":"Lacquer box carved in rounded grooves through layers of black and red lacquer down to a black ground, decorated with <i>ruyi</i> heads in bands of four, eight and sixteen elements on the upper part and in bands of sixteen on the lower. Scroll designs on the foot rim.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"lacquer","id":"AAT14916"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Lacquered wood","categories":[{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"},{"text":"Lacquerware","id":"THES49004"}],"styles":[{"text":"Ming","id":"AAT18438"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2006AF6486"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"006","id":"THES370474"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"006","id":"THES370474"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Box","id":""}],[{"text":"Lid","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1500-1600","earliest":"1500-01-01","latest":"1600-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Sir Harry Garner and Lady Garner","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"26.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Lacquer food box, China, Ming dynasty, ca. 1500-1600","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Kerr, Rose (ed.), Chinese Art and Design: the T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1991.","id":"AUTH404455"},"details":"p. 158, fig. 68","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Sir Harry Garner 'Guri lacquer of the Ming dynasty', Transactions of the Oriental ceramic Society, 1957-59, vol. 31, pl. 18b"},{"reference":{"text":"<i>Chinese and Associated Lacquer from the Garner Collection</i>, London : British Museum, 1973","id":"AUTH356383"},"details":"15","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Food box  \r\nMing dynasty\r\n1500-1600\r\n\r\nBoxes of this form were used for gifts of food. The box was not kept by the recipient, but sent back with a note of thanks.\r\n\r\nCarved lacquer on wood\r\nMuseum no. FE.12-1974  \r\nSir Harry Garner Gift","date":{"text":"2007","earliest":"2007-01-01","latest":"2007-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["FE.12-1974","FE.12A-1974"],"accessionNumberNum":"12","accessionNumberPrefix":"FE","accessionYear":1974,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Box","Lid"],"assets":["2025PK0738"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-04","recordCreationDate":"1999-12-15","availableToBook":true}}