A carved red lacquer rectangular tray. Ming dynasty, late 16th / early 17th century. Photo Lempertz

raised on a low foot, the interior with four bearded figures and their attendants in a landscape with craggy mountains and a lake. The rim with lotus flowers on leafy branches, the exterior similarly decorated with flowers, the base lacquered black. The characteristics of the carving assigned the work to the so called Yunnan ware. Minor missing areas, short cracks/ H 3,7 cm; B 35,2 cm; 14,2 cm. Estimate 7.000 €

Lempertz. Auction 991 Asian Art. December 9, 2011 www.lempertz-online.de