A BLACK AND CINNABAR LACQUER 'PEONY' TRAY SONG DYNASTY

of rectangular form with shallow everted sides supported on a thick slightly tapered foot of conforming section, deeply and densely carved through alternating layers of brownish-black and red lacquer to the ochre ground below with two large peony blossoms naturalistically detailed with curling petals, dense stamen and attendant buds, all wreathed in lush foliage and framed by a thick rim, the exterior similarly carved in high relief with a continuous spray of leafy peonies against the ochre ground

Chūgoku Sō jidai no choshitsu/Chinese Carved Lacquerware of the Song Dynasty, Tokyo National Museum, 2004, cat. no. 21.

Yasuhiro Nishioka, ‘Chinese “Southern Song Style” Carved Lacquer, Centring Around the Work with the Signature of Lu Pu Zao’, Bulletin of the Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, no. 10, 1992-4, pls. 13 and 13a.

There are some typical age cracks and crackles overall, with some retouching to the lacquer in the recesses, including one 5.5 cm vertical crack lifting on the interior to the right of the tray (showing on the illustration in the catalogue). The two left corners are restored with relacquering on the rim and light touch up on the underside.
"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."

This tray is unusual for its rectangular form which has been carefully decorated with an elegant and harmoniously composed scene of two peonies. A sense of flowing movement in the petals of the large blooms has been achieved through the spacious arrangement and confidently carved outlines of the forms against a well-exposed background, features that are characteristic of the Southern Song style.  A similarly carved scene depicting lotus blooms and leaves was included in the exhibition Sō Gen no bi. Denrai no shikki o chūshin/the Colors and Forms of Song and Yuan China. Featuring Lacquerwares, Ceramics and Metalwares, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, 2004, cat. no. 87; and another illustrating peonies, chrysanthemums and prunus blossoms was exhibited in the Tokyo National Museum exhibition 2004, op.cit., cat. no. 20.

For a discussion on the production of trays of this type, see the note to lot 151 in this sale.