Lot 676. A very rare cinnabar lacquer 'lion' dish, Yuan dynasty, 14th century; 7 in. (18 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 80,000 - HKD 120,000. Price realised HKD 203,150. © Christie's Image Ltd 2002 

Crisply carved through the thick lacquer to depict two Buddhistic lions divided by a ribboned brocade ball all amidst lingzhi sprigs reserved on a ground of cash-coins, repeated on the raised border, the reverse with a fluid swirling classic scroll border, the black base lightly incised with the maker's mark, Zhou Ming Zao, 'Made by Zhou Ming', on the left side of the inner foot ring (cracks and minor losses repaired), box.

Note: Previously sold in our London Rooms, 6 December 1993, lot 142.

The name of the craftsman, Zhou Ming, does not appear to be published although a number of lacquer wares dated to the Yuan dynasty that bear the maker's name, such as the cinnabar lacquer 'lotus' tray sold in these Rooms, 29 April 2001, lot 634; a dish carved with a pavilion scene, illustrated by Lee Yu-Kuan, Oriental Lacquer Art, fig. 73, together with an illustration of the mark; and an octafoil dish carved with birds and a circular box, cover and stand each with the same inscription, exhibited by the Tokugawa and Nezu Museums, 1984, illustrated in Carved Lacquer, nos. 54 and 121, accompanied by details of the mark.

The presence of Buddhistic lions on 14th century lacquer is very rare. For 15th century examples of a comparable design, cf. two circular boxes and covers, the first illustrated in Master Works of Chinese Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taibei, col. pl. 2; and the other from the British Museum, illustrated by Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, no. 40.