A RARE RED LACQUER 'ZHAOJIN'-DECORATED SQUARE TRAY MARK AND PERIOD OF TIANQI

of square section with bombé sides and cusped corners, supported on a straight foot, the interior intricately decorated in zhaojin on a red lacquer ground with a scene depicting the Tang Emperor Xuanzhong visiting the Moon Palace, the upper left corner with a short staircase leading to a roundel enclosing a group of goddesses and a rabbit, the ethereal landscape accented with rockwork and various figures surrounding the central scene, including a gentleman crossing a bridge while sitting astride a horse, all within four cartouches on the cavetto enclosing a dragon, the exterior bordered with a thin basket panel, all below a key-fret band collaring the mouthrim, the base inscribed with a vertical four-character reign mark

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. 101.
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. 22.

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are bruises and small chips to the rim. There are other bruises and chips to the foot, especially the bottom left corner. There are flakes to the interior, the most severe of which are a 3cm flake in the top at the 12 o clock position, and a 1.5cm flake at the bottom right. Scratching and age cracks to the interior, the most severe of which is a crack extending from the 11 o clock position into the roundel, visible in the photo.
"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."