A large carved cinnabar lacquer dish, China, Qing Dynasty.

Carved through layers of red lacquer. The surface is decorated with ruyi-shaped motifs in two concentric registers. In the centre is a pentagonal flower head. All surrounded by a lobed box that divides the plate in two with a fragrant grass-shaped decorative motifs, called xiangcao.

The main design is often called a "pommel scroll" because it resembles the hilt of a Chinese sword. It is a very common motif  between the 13th and 16th centuries for three-dimensional arts. The Japanese term guri is also sometimes used to classify lacquerware with this design.

Japanese wood box.

Diameter 32 cm; Box: 36x36 cm

Provenance:

European private collection.