Lot 97. A carved cinnabar lacquer stem bowl, Ming dynasty, 16th century; 3 ¾ in.(9.5 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000 (USD 12,810 - USD 19,215). Unsold. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019. 

The deep bowl is carved with four large long-tailed birds amongst flower sprays and pomegranate, all on a diaper pattern and below a key fret band to the mouth rim. The stem with splayed foot is similarly decorated with further flower sprays. The interior is lined with metal.=

Note: With its dark reddish-brown colour and deep sharp cuts, the present stem bowl belongs to a group of lacquer typified by scholars as 'Yunnan carved lacquer', originating from Southeast China and generally dated to the mid-Ming dynasty. Compare a very similar stem cup in the British Museum, illustrated by Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, pl. 69. Another stem bowl was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 4226. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 5 November 2019