20 | Pair of red filled-in and incised low lacquer tables

Ming dynasty, 16th century
Height: 50 cm | 19 3/4 in
Diameter: 51 cm | 20 in

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Of pentagonal barrel form, each top is supported on a narrow waist with lingzhi head openings above a shaped apron with concave sides and indented corners; this is supported on five winged legs that curve in at scroll feet and stand upon a low stretcher. The decoration is incised on an orange red lacquer ground with green infill – in the t’ien-ch’i technique. There are remnants of gold – applied to the incised lines – which heighten the design. Each top is decorated with a different scene against a black fret ground, and this is executed in a bold open style associated with the 16th century. One table top depicts large lotus flowers and leaves amongst rocks and egrets – the other a phoenix amongst various flowering plants, birds and rocks. The remaining decoration is similar on both tables – with lotus flowers and scrolling leaves.

Filled-in and incised lacquer is achieved by incising the outlines of the design and then inlaying, or painting in, selected areas – with contrasting colours. The technique is described in Chinese Lacquer by Sir Harry Garner, Faber and Faber, London, 1979 – chapter 9.

Similar example: Chinese Furniture by Michel Beurdeley, Kodansha International, 1979 – figure 154 illustrates a rectangular table in the Museé Guimet; its top is dated to the second half of the 16th century – and based on Ming paintings of the period (there is a remarkable similarity in both subject matter and style).

A comparison can be made with the decoration on the pair of tables illustrated in our 2006 exhibition catalogue – page 36; also figures 148 and 149 in Beurdeley’s book – of the Qing dynasty.

Provenance: Alice Boney, Tokyo, 1960; Ambassador Pierre Landy, Paris.