AN OVAL LAC BURGAUTE DISH QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

of shallow oval form with a flared rim, raised on a low foot of conforming shape, the interior finely inlaid in mother-of-pearl and gold foils on a black lacquer ground, centred with two archaic vessels – a vase adorned with animal-head handles and a ewer with a circular body, together with a seated qilin, all set on an elaborate floral diaper ground, enclosed within a band of florets borne on scrolling leafy stems in the cavetto, the black-lacquered base inlaid with the designation Yutang yawan (‘For elegant amusement in the Jade Hall’) in seal script within a square panel

Christie’s New York, 2nd December 1989, lot 68.

There are some minute dents to the rim, one with an associated 2 cm hairline crackle extending on the exterior, some expected light wear to the inlays on the interior and mild surface crackles to the black lacquer on the underside, but overall the tray is in quite good condition.
"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."

While a number of lac burgaute dishes of this type are known, the present example stands out for the remarkable workmanship and for the grooved lip which suggests that there would have been a silver binding to the lip to strengthen and to make the piece more attractive.

The Yutang mark is said to have belonged to Yan Donglou or Yan Shifan, who, with his father Yan Song (1480-1567), the chief minister to the Jiajing emperor, held sway over the government of the empire and accumulated immense wealth while the emperor did his best to hide from the responsibilities of his position. The hall name continued to be used in the late-Ming and early-Qing periods as a generalized name for scholarly studio wares. It was also a classical reference to officials of the highest rank, reserved for works of art of exceptional quality.

For examples of related lac burgaute dishes see two, from the collection of Mary and George Bloch, sold in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 31; two, from a set of six, illustrated in Chinese Decorative Arts, Bluett and Sons Ltd., London, 1974, pl. 43; and another, in the Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, illustrated in James C. Y. Watt and Barbara Brennan Ford, East Asian Lacquer: The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, New York, 1991, pl. 63.