Dish, carved black lacquer, China, Yuan dynasty, ca.1300-1350. Diameter: 31.8 cm. FE.20:1, 2-1974. Given by Sir Harry and Lady Garner. © V&A Images.

Black lacquer carved on reddish- buff ground, decorated with two pheasants in flights against a background of camellias on the inside and a spiral scroll border underneath. 

Lacquer is a waterproof varnish made from the sap of the tree Rhus vernicifera. The Chinese began to use it to provide a protective coating for wooden and bamboo bowls at least 3,000 years ago. Lacquer workers quickly realised the decorative potential of the material. They coated the surface of vessels with multiple layers of lacquer and carved them with decorative patterns. Here two pheasants are shown against a background of flowers.

Bibliographic References: The Oriental Ceramic Society. Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society 1955-57, vol. 30. London: Oriental Ceramic Society in association with Sotheby's Publication, 1958. p. 73, no. 243.

Exhibition: OCS Ming Exhibition: Arts of the Ming dynasty (London 15/11/1957-14/12/1957) 
Chinese and Associated Lacquer from the Garner Collection (British Museum 02/10/1973-02/12/1973) 
The World of lacquer 2000 years of history (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon 01/06/2001-31/12/2003)