A carved cinnabar dish

late Yuan to early Ming dynasty, 14th century
China

diameter: 26.7 cm

This shallow circular dish conforms to a certain group of 14th century carved cinnabar lacquer wares. These are characterised by the lobed frame around the main design, the subject matter (scholars in various pursuits), and the open design of the flower borders – carved in the flat style associated with the Yuan period (that contrasts with the fuller more rounded early 15th century style). In addition, the flowers themselves conform very typically to Yuan period carving; there is also the characteristic warping of the main body, and the subsequent cracking and lifting of the lacquer that reveals the cloth covered wood base.

The main field depicts three scholars – or Daoist immortals – playing ‘go’ – on a rocky terrace beside a lake; a servant stands at the doorway to a cave set into a mountain cliff, holding a tray of cups, and a fourth scholar (or immortal) walks towards the group across a bridge. The background is divided into three distinctive diaper areas that represent air, water, and the interior of the cave; these areas are executed in a contrasting orange-red colour tone. The scene is encircled by a border depicting flowers of the four seasons – chrysanthemum, peony, plum blossom and gardenia, and divided by leaves and framed by a ridged outer rim. The reverse is decorated with guri lacquer scrolls, and the bottom well is painted in a brown lacquer in its original condition.

similar examples
‘Museum Fur Lackkunst’ by Monika Kopplin – figure 7 illustrates a shallow dish.

‘Masterpieces of Chinese Lacquer from the Mike Healy Collection’, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 2005 – no.19 illustrates a domed box and cover.

‘Oriental Sculpture and Works of Art’, A & J Speelman, 1999 – no.18 illustrates a circular dish.