Lot 2109. A rare red lacquer prunus-shaped dish, Song dynasty (960-1279); 7 in. (17.8 cm.) wide. Estimate HKD 60,000 - HKD 80,000. Price realised HKD 137,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008

The cavetto formed with six petals, each petal well defined with raised radial ridges stopping before a slightly sunken central medallion, the interior and exterior sides covered with a red lacquer, the mouth rim bound with metal, the recessed base with black lacquer bearing a square red lacquer sealmark impression, Japanese wood box.

Exhibited: The Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne, 1990, Dragon and Phoenix, Chinese Lacquer Ware, The Lee Family Collection, Catalogue, no. 15
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1990/91
The Shoto Museum of Art, Shibuya, Japan, 1991, Chinese Lacquerware, Catalogue, no. 3  

Note: A similar lacquer dish found amongst a group of lacquer dated to the Tang dynasty excavated at Jianli Xian, Hubei province, is published in Wenwu, 1982, 2.93, pl. 8. fig. 4.

The shape and the metal bound mouth rim relate closely to Dingyaoceramics of the Tang period from which the present lacquer dish has taken its inspiration. Cf. three lobed Dingyao dishes with metal bound mouth rims, illustrated in Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Ting Ware White Porcelain, National Palace Museum, 1987, nos. 102-104. Thinly potted Dingceramic bowls and dishes were fired upside down on unglazed mouth rims, and were often fitted with metal bands either for protection or to provide a smoother surface..

Christie's. Important Chinese Lacquer Wares from the Lee Family Collection, Hong Kong, 3 December 2008