Petit plat en laque guri rouge Chine, dynastie Yuan, XIVE siècle

Circulaire, l'intérieur à décor incisé de quatre doubles ruyi stylisés, le revers similairement incisé de rinceaux archaïsants, la base laquée noire

Christie's Hong Kong, 1 November 2004, lot 993

Expected age crack to the lacquer (a circle inside about 3.5 cm from the rim with traces of old stabilization, to the edges of the carved guri design on the reverse), lacquer also stabilized on a 9 cm section to the reverse with retouching black paint to line framing the guri design, old traces of previous stabilization around the foot rim and, some horizontal hairlines in the dark brown lacquer beneath the base.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A dish of this size and similar design, but with five pommel scrolls carved into black lacquer with red and yellow layers, see one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, included in the exhibition East Asian Lacquer. The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1991, cat. no. 9. For a small circular box carved with a closely related design see one from the Edward T. Chow Collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 3^rd May 1994, lot 285.

Lacquer carved with pommel scrolls appear to have had it beginning in the late Song period; however the style of such carving underwent a radical; change during the Yuan period. The development of style echoes the growing predilection for sculptural and high-relief forms which is seen in porcelain decoration of the Yuan period. The rounded forms of the scrolls generate a sense of vitality that characterises much carved lacquer of the period.