Lot 547. A carved 'Birds and Flower' cinnabar lacquer dish, Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Diameter 6 3/4  in., 17.1 cm. Estimate 35,000 — 45,000 USD. Lot sold 43,750 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

of shallow circular form supported on a short footring, elegantly carved through a layer of deep cinnabar-red lacquer to reveal the olive-green beneath, the interior depicting two long-tailed birds soaring and plunging amidst full peony blooms, the birds with outstretched wings gently incised with delicate lines to depict their feathery bodies and heads surmounted by long crests, the underside carved with 'fragrant grass' scroll, Japanese wood box (3).

Provenance: Old Japanese Collection.