A CINNABAR LACQUER 'LIONS' DISH
16th century
Of circular shape, the centre carved with a medallion enclosing four Buddhistic lions playing around a brocade ball with ribbons flowing around, framed by a band of key-fret pattern below the rim; the sides decorated with a band of scrolling lotus and foliate vines, the back lacquered in black.
14.3cm (5 5/8in) diam.
Footnotes:
十六世紀 剔紅獅子戲繡球盤

Published, Illustrated and Exhibited:
Roger Keverne Ltd., Winter Exhibition, London, 2009, no. 107.

This type of lacquer is generally known as Yunnan ware and is discussed by Garner in Chinese Lacquer, 1979, pp. 131 and 134 and illustrated pls. 72-5.

Some retouches, particularly visible to the mouth and foot rims; expected minor age cracks scattered around the dish; general surface wear, including some minor nicks to the extremities.