A VERY RARE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER CIRCULAR DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING

of circular form, the shallow rounded sides resting on a slightly tapered foot, the interior finely carved with a medallion enclosing a sprig issuing a large lingzhi bloom and three peaches incised with cloud scroll motifs, the peaches bearing fu, lu and, shou characters, all wreathed in elegant foliage and against a diapered wan background, the cavetto encircled with a pair of dragons striding sinuously, interrupted by undulating lingzhi scrolls, the exterior with a composite floral scroll borne on a leafy stem consisting chrysanthemum, lotus and camellia blossoms, the foot bordered with a key-fret band, the base lacquered black and incised with a six-character reign mark in gilt

Sotheby’s London, 3nd July 1968, lot 84

Ming Lacquer, Bluett and Sons, London, 1960, cat. no. 10
2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong and the Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1993, cat. no. 66.
Layered Beauty: The Baoyizhai Collection of Chinese Lacquer, Art Museum, Institute of Chinese Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2010, cat. no. 44.

Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, pl. 78

In overall good condition. As illustrated in the catalogue, there are old age cracks as can be expected, some of them have been stabilised. There is a small loss to the lacquer beneath the mouthrim at the 12 o'clock position on top of the lingzhi spray.
"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."

The present dish, which would have been suitable as a birthday gift, depicts three meticulously carved peaches, symbols of longevity, which are decorated with the characters fu (happiness), lu (high rank) and shou(long life), also associated with the three Daoist Star Gods Yang Cheng, Zhang Xian and Shoulao. The Jiajing emperor was a devout Daoist and as a result decoration influenced by Daoist iconography was favoured and often employed by artisans working for the court.

A closely related dish, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in the Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2006, cat. no. 119; another is illustrated in Fritz Low-Beer, 'Chinese Lacquer of the Middle and Late Ming Period', B.M.F.E.A., no. 24, 1952, pl. 10; and a third example was sold in these rooms, 2nd November 1994, lot 260. Compare also a Jiajing mark and period cinnabar lacquer box, decorated with similarly inscribed peaches resting on lingzhi fungus, issuing from a rock, included in the exhibition Chinese and Associated Lacquer from the Garner Collection, The British Museum, London, 1973, cat. no. 71; and a qiangjin and tianqi-decorated lacquer dish incised with a related design of inscribed peaches, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated ibid., pl. 158.