AN OVAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL LACQUER DISH QING DYNASTY, 17TH – 18TH CENTURY

raised on a low foot of conforming shape, the shallow interior finely inlaid in mother-of-pearl and gold foils on a black lacquer ground, decorated with three antique vessels, a foliate dish, possibly also depicting a mother-of-pearl inlaid dish, a large vase and cover with an animal finial, and a buffalo-head cup, 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 (part lot).

Good overall condition. There is rubbing and minor bruising to the edges, especially the upper rim. There are minute losses to the gold and mother-of-pearl foils. There are characteristic age cracks to the lacquer.
"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."

Several features suggest that these two dishes are from the workshop of Jiang Qianli, but not from his own hand, since the calligraphy of the mark is not up to his elegant and literate standard. However, the formal integrity of the lacquer is excellent; the control of the intricate ground pattern of formalised floral diaper is faultless; the mark is inlaid in abalone shell, and the cavetto border is typical of the master with its extraordinary artistry and control combined with extensive use of mainly abalone shell in different colours with very little metal foil and very little lacquer showing through. 

There were five originally in the Christie’s New York sale, including this dish and lot 112, and two that entered the Bloch Collection, later sold in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 31. Compare also a closely related dish illustrated in James C.Y. Watt and Barbara Brennan Ford, East Asian Lacquer: The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, New York, 1991, cat. no. 63. 

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 generalised 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.