A Small Black and Red Guri Lacquer Seal Paste Box and Cover and a Black Guri Stemcup Yuan / Early Ming Dynasty

each carved through alternating layers of black and red lacquer beneath the black surface, the domed circular box and fitted cover decorated with ‘classic’ scrolls centred with a quatrefoil, the layers of red lacquer appearing in five thin lines sandwiched between the layers of black lacquer over a metal body, the interior lacquered in black, the stemcup with an everted rim and a splayed foot with a sealed base, similarly carved with six ruyi-head shaped pommels divided by six spade-shaped motifs around the base and 'S'- scrolls around the stem, the interior lacquered in black

Both are in overall quite good condition commensurate with age. There are minor age cracks to the lacquer on both. There is an old 1.2 cm shallow chip the foot of the stemcup and further old retouching and brown relacquering around the edge of the foot. There is an old repair, approximately a 4 cm section of the stemcup, with further old brown relacquering in another section approximately a 2.5 section of the rim, probably to stabilize fritting or conceal small chips. There are some small nicks to the interior rims of the box revealing the metal body beneath and old relacquering to the black lacquer on the interior.
"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."

For a larger Yuan dynasty guri lacquer box, sharing the same characteristic cutting to expose multiple layers of red, black and ochre as on the current example,  see Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, no. 381. See also an example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th April 2000, lot 642, inscribed with the name Yang Mao, who is mentioned in the Gegu yao lun as being a pupil of Yang Hui of Xitang at the end of the Yuan dynasty. 

For a closely related guri lacquer stemcup, see the example sold in our New York rooms, 31st March to 1st April 2005, lot 217.