dimensions: 36.4 cm x 12.1 cm

The black lacquer rectangular tray with indented corners is carved on the interior with a design of two long-tailed birds amongst peony flowers and leaves. The design is cut through lacquer that is build up in alternating layers of red and black on an ochre ground. The reverse is carved with an elongated tixi decoration.

This rare tray conforms to a number of known lacquer wares from the Southern Song period, as exhibited in 2004, and published in the exhibition catalogue of The Nezu Institute of Fine Arts in Tokyo. With its close connection to the Yuan style, the tray is most likely 13th century in date. The two birds’ subject matter – carved in a flat style with generous spacing, the rectangular form, and the elongated tixi decoration on the reverse are all characteristics of Southern Song lacquer.

similar examples
‘The Colors and Forms of Song and Yuan China – Featuring Lacquerwares, Ceramics, and Metalwares’, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, 2004. Compare no. 105 for carving and subject matter, and nos. 51 & 87 (reverse on page 139 & 147), for the shape and tixi lacquer design.