Description
A Chinese Yuan to Ming dynasty, brown carved tixi lacquer plate with shallow u-shaped carvings, consisting of two layers of concentric ruyi heads rotating around a central floral medallion. The outer sides in a scrolling curly grass (xiangcao) pattern. The inset base in a rich leather brown lacquer. Double bands of red lacquer in the top and lower levels of the lacquer. Overall in good condition with small damage, chips and cracks that are appropriate to a piece of this age.
Tixi (Tī xī), meaning “pick rino” in Chinese (剔犀) refers to multilayered deeply carved lacquer of various “ruyi,” “curly grass” or “heart shaped” patterns. Said to resemble the cross section of rhinoceros horn, Tixi lacquer has been produced, collected and appreciated by both the Chinese and the Japanese where it is referred to as “Guri” lacquer. The Song dynasty is considered by some to be the peak of Tixi lacquer’s popularity although it continues to be made into present day, particularly so in Japan.
Size is 14 x 14 x 2 cm
Japanese box.