Cinnabar lacquer lobed tray
Yuan Dynasty, 1279 – 1368
Diameter: 32 cm | 12 19/32 in

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With a seven-sided foliated rim and curved sides – the tray is raised on a foot rim created by its recessed base. The interior is carved with a scholar standing on the terrace of a pavilion set amongst rocks, pine trees, willow and acer. He awaits the arrival of a second scholar mounted on horseback and accompanied by his attendant. The scene is depicted within a scalloped border, and framed by a wide floral band of seven seasonal flowers, repeated with contrasting flowers on the exterior.

Similar examples: Chinese Carved Lacquer by Derek Clifford, Bamboo Publishing, 1992 – plate 39. This Yuan dish from the British Museum is similar in the carving of the floral border, the shape and the internal lobed frame to the main design (although wholly naturalistic, with no figures). Figure 41, in the same publication from the BASF Lacquer Museum in Münster, is round in form but otherwise very close in style – its floral border and scalloped frame enclosing a scholar’s scene in the main picture, with numerous close details of comparison.

A carbon 14 test no. RCD 6707 on this tray confirms the dating.