A carved cinnabar lacquer stem cup - Ming Dynasty

Carved around the exterior through layers of red lacquer with two registers of guri scroll, all supported on a high spreading foot carved with a xiancao scroll, the interior of the bowl brown-lacquered, the base incised and gilded with a later added incised and gilt six-character Xuande mark, box (restoration). 10.8cm (4¼in) high. (2). Estimate: £9,000 - 12,000

Illustrated: R. Krahl and B. Morgan, From Innovation to Conformity. Chinese Lacquer from the 13th to 16th centuries, London, Bluett & Sons, June 1989, Catalogue no. 19, where it is dated to the early 15th century.

The guri scroll design on this stem cup follows a pattern well established in lacquer going back to the late Song period.

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Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 12 May 2008. New Bond Street