Description
This carved cinnabar lacquer plate, is decorated in a low relief scrolling peony pattern along scalloped edges. Its base and foot rim are constructed from several pieces of thin wood glued together. Strips of cloth impregnated with lacquer were then placed in a mold along with the center core. Once dried and hardened, they are sanded and coated in a base lacquer. A layer of ash mixed with lacquer and pigs blood or another binding material is applied to surface to build up the base patterns. It is then carved and finely sanded. Finally, a several layers of red cinnabar lacquer are applied. Once dried it is again sanded and polished. While the general carving/inscribing technique matches other known pieces from the same period it is likely this particular tray was made by a Yunnan workshop (the so called ” Dali or Yunnan lacquers”). While much attention is paid to Chinese lacquer of the type built up in subsequent layers and then carved, known as 漆雕 Qīdiāo, less information is known about these equally beautiful and unique forms of lacquerware which are worthy of further study.
For a more detailed discussion of these “imitations” in antiquity, see the 14th century Chinese classic text “Gegu yaolun/ The Ko Ku Yao Lun 格古要論” or The Essential Criteria of Antiques by
Cao Zhao, first published in 1388. There is also discussion of these wares in the 17th century text “Painting records of the Ming Dynasty” 明代髹饰录.
A round cinnabar lacquer plate in a similar low relief technique exists in the collection of the National Museum of Scotland and is published in the “Chinese Lacquer” by Hu Shih-Chang, 1998
Although the accompanying wooden box is old as well, it is likely not original to the piece. The box appears to have originally contained one of 4 classics of Confucius as is noted by the writing inside the box itself. In addition, the newspaper inside the box is from the Yomiuri Shimbun is from 1958.
Dimensions (cm): Length 26 x Width 26 x Height 3.5 (Box is 31 x 31 x 9)
Provenance: Japanese private collection.
Condition: Excellent condition. No damage.
Exhibits signs of normal wear and tear on the bottom.