Lot 337. A tixi three-colour lacquer cup, Ming dynasty; 12.5cm diam. Estimate HK$ 40,000 - 60,000 (€3,800 - 5,700). Sold for HK$ 175,000 (€ 20,762). Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Of curved conical shape rising from a short circular foot, the exterior coated with multiple thick layers of lacquer, deeply carved through layers of red, black and beige featuring large spiral cloud scrolls, the inside lacquered black. 

Note: Compare an example of a double-tiered tixi lacquer circular box and cover with similar cloudscape pattern also dated to the Ming dynasty in the Qing Court collection, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Lacquer Wares of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, p.104, no.76.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong. 24 Nov 2013 14:00 CST