明永樂 剔紅芙蓉紋盤 《大明永樂年製》款

finement et densément sculpté à travers les épaisses couches de laque rouge sur un fond couleur ocre, de luxuriantes fleurs d'hibiscus accompagnées de petits bourgeons et larges feuilles polylobées se déployant sur toute la surface intérieure, l'extérieur sculpté d'une frise de fleurs d'hibiscus représentées de face et de profil dans leur feuillage, la base relaquée brun, la marque à six caractères incisée à la base partiellement effacée mais toujours visible

There is a vertical crack running through the brown lacquer across the base of the dish revealing the coarse textile below. There are several areas of loss to the lacquer along the inside footrim and on the foot, the largest two ca. 3cm wide. There are several cracks running through the carved lacquer design of the exterior and inside of the dish. On one side of the dish, the thick red lacquer design appears to have become detached from the ground. Here, where the design moves from the flat surface to the gently curved part of the well, a ca. 15cm long, slightly curved crack runs through the design almost around the entirely dish. There is also a vertical crack that runs across the centre of the dish and joins the crack that runs around the dish where the flat interior joins the well. Along this vertical crack, there are some minor areas of loss to the lacquer. There are several cracks to the rim of the dish. The dish is very heavy. The lacquer is thickly and finely carved and has not been cleaned. Underneath the dirt and dust, the ochre ground is visible in places. The back of the dish may have been relacquered at some point in its history and is of brownish colour with a hard shiny surface that has horizontal cracks.
"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."

As noted by Regina Krahl in her essay, only one other carved cinnabar lacquer dish of this particular design and size and bearing a Yongle mark, seems to be known, illustrated in Joan Hornby, Chinese Lacquerware in the National Museum of Denmark, Denmark, 2012, cat. no. 3. The Copenhagen dish also bears the incised Tianshi fang characters which refer to the Department of Sweetmeats, one of the twelve directorates of the Yuyong jian in which the palace eunuchs were organised and which responsible for ordering the manufacture, use and storage of household objects used at the imperial court.