1-234-612 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Black and gold lacquer 'Go' box, Qing dynasty, China, early 18th century. A circular black lacquer covered box with waisted sides and a slight ridge round the foot. The slightly domed cover is painted in gold with figures playing a board game outside a large pavilion with willows. The body has various warriors, hares and deer hunting scene in a pattern sometimes referred to as 'the Love Chase'. This box was probably a container for 'Go' pieces. The whole piece has been heavily varnished. The game of 'Go' is sometimes referred to as Chinese chess and was extremely popular from at least the Han dynasty on.