A LARGE MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAID LACQUER STAND MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

of large rectangular section raised on a waisted pedestal, all four sides elaborately inlaid with panels enclosing lively scenes depicting figures engaged in various scholarly and leisurely pursuits, all above panels enclosing landscape scenes of egrets, birds, or a single dragon, carp, haima and prawn, the top inlaid with a central medallion decorated with a pair of magpies perched upon prunus blossom trees issuing from rockwork, all framed within three balustrades embellished with ornate scroll motifs 

A Private Japanese Collection.

The method used on these types of lacquer is called luo dian,  a name mentioned in the Ge Gu Yao Lun, by Cao Zhao (1388) for inlaid lacquer ware with mother-of-pearl originating in Luling Xian, Ji'an, Jiangxi province. The pieces of nautilus shell generally used in this technique tend to be rather thick and large. Details are engraved on the shell. The iridescence of the shell pieces lends depth to the inlay, making the decoration appear to be more like a painting.

Stands of this type are extremely rare.  The inlay technique combines serveral styles including the bolder flower decoration on the top and the refined and delicate figural decoration around the sides.  These types of stands may have been used for display or perhaps for presenting wine or teawares.  The organic and florid details like in the balustrades are elements seen on furniture in the 16th century.  Compare the scrolled feet on a hexagonal huanghuali stand in the Hung Collection, illustrated in Robert Ellsworth,  Chinese Furniture, The Hung Collection, New York, 1996, cat. no. 43.