A finely carved cinnabar lacquer 'phoenix' dish Yuan dynasty

of shallow circular form resting on a short foot, the interior finely and deeply carved through the red lacquer with a pair of confronting phoenixes, their elegant outstretched wings intricately delineated with incised lines to depict their feathery bodies, with their long tail plumage gently curled to conform to the shape of the dish, the two birds soaring through a dense profusion of peony sprays, all against a plain ground and bound within a thick rim, encircled by a band of further scrolling peonies to the underside, the base lacquered black, Japanese wood box (2)

This dish in very good overall condition with retouching to the rim. Age cracks to the interior of the dish along the areas of the foot ring underneath.
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.

Designs of paired birds surrounded by lush flowers were particularly popular for carved lacquerware in the Yuan dynasty, although they can be traced back to beginnings in the Southern Song.

This mature Yuan style, where the design is beautifully laid out and the carving very accomplished, developed from much simpler Song prototypes. To follow this development, it is interesting to compare several examples of Song dynasty lacquerware with bird-and-flower designs and included in the exhibition The Colors and Forms of Song and Yuan China: Featuring Lacquerwares, Ceramics, and Metalwares, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, 2004, cat.nos. 83, 84, 89, 92, 118, and a more direct predecessor, attributed to the late Southern Song or Yuan period, no. 86, as well as a Southern Song silver box with a related bird design, no. 36.