Tixi lacquer bowl
Early 15th century
Diameter: 19 cm | 7.5 in

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The circular shallow bowl is fitted with its original silvered copper lining, and rests upon a raised foot ring. The exterior is decorated with two rows of pommel scrolls above a wide classic scroll band – the dark brown top layer lightened by two layers of red lacquer showing through the smooth and rounded carved design.

Published: From Innovation to Conformity Chinese Lacquer from the 13th to 16th centuries, Bluett and Sons’ exhibition catalogue, June 1989 – no. 20.

Similar example: Im Zeichen Des Drachen, on der Schönheit chinesischer Lacke, Hirmer Verlag München – Museum für Lackkunst, Münster/Linden Museum, Stuttgart exhibition 2006/2007, plate 73: the pommel scrolls on the illustrated box and cover are specific in style to the early 15th century – with U shaped troughs, wide grooves and gently rounded contours. Plate 36 shows a tixi lacquer bowl with original metal liner dated to the Yuan dynasty. It is interesting to compare differences in the style of carving of these two bowls, which are close in period; the earlier piece is altogether more angular in the cutting – although the scrolls are very similar in form.