Lot 120. A rare agate foliate-shaped cup and stand, Ming Dynasty or earlier. The cup 11.8cm wide across handles; the stand 15.3cm long (2). Sold for €3,840. 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: Collection of Max Müller (1867-1960), German consul in Hankow, acquired in China between 1905 and 1912, thence by descent to his daughter Irmgard Müller-Doertenbach (1909-2011), acquired from her collection.

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