A RARE CARVED 'TIXI' LACQUER GILT-DECORATED SQUARE TRAY 17TH CENTURY

with canted incurved corners and shallow, rounded sides, supported on a straight foot, the center painted in gilt with deer grazing amidst cypress trees, the sides deeply carved with tixi-style symmetrical scrolls in alternating layers of black and red lacquer

The rims and edges with areas of loss, restoration and consolidation. The center panel has a split running down the middle and the lacquer has lifted and been consolidated.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a related work with inlaid lacquer in the form of a square box and cover see Sir Harry Garner, "Guri Lacquer of the Ming Dynasty," Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society," vol. 31, London, 1957-1959, pl. 21c. Garner notes on p. 69, "A guri box is also known with gilt designs of landscapes painted inside in a style which suggest the Kang-hsi period.  Such pieces seem to be at any rate as late as the second half of the seventeenth century." Guri being the Japanese pronunciation for the characters read in Chinese as tixi.