Lot 3501. A large tixi black lacquer petal-lobed tray, Late Yuan-Early Ming dynasty, 14th-15th century; 19 1/4 in. (49 cm.) wide. Estimate HKD 900,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price Realized HKD 937,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The large five-lobed tray is well carved through alternating layers of black and red lacquer with concentric bands of sword pommel scrolls radiating from a central florette comprised of five ruyi-heads enclosing a circle. The reverse is decorated with a further band of pommel scrolls all above the high foot of conforming cinquefoil shape, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese private collection
Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 October 2002, lot 586.

Literature: Christie's 20 Years in Hong Kong, 1986-2006, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Highlights, p. 296.

Note: Compare to a carved tixi cinnabar lacquer lobed tray of similar form and design from the Song-Yuan dynasty, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 1809, The Lee Family Collection.

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 28 May 2014