Lot 118. A black tixi lacquer tray, Ming Dynasty; 37.3cm long. Sold for €2,560. Photo Bonhams.

Of rectangular shape, with shallow sides rising to a lipped rim, the interior carved through alternating black and red layers of lacquer with a central flowerhead formed by linked 'pommel scroll' motifs encircled by rows of varying 'pommel scrolls', the exterior carved with similar motifs and xiangcao scrolls repeated on the high pedestal foot, the base is lacquered black.

Provenance: Fomerly in a German collection, acquired from the collection (by repute).

Note: Compare this tray with a a slightly smaller tixi lacquer tray with indented corners dated 1549, published in 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Oriental Hong Kong, 1993, no.30, pp.72-73.

Bonhams - Cornette de Saint Cyr. CHINESE ART FROM A GERMAN FAMILY COLLECTION, Paris, 26 October 2023