Lot 3502. A carved tixi cinnabar lacquer cupstand, Late Yuan-Early Ming dynasty, 14th century; 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm.) wide. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 250,000. Price Realized HKD 687,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The hollow circular bowl is detailed on the exterior with a band of sword pommel scrolls carved through alternate layers of cinnabar-red, green, yellow, and black lacquer. The design is repeated on both sides of the tray and again on the slightly splayed foot. The interior of the cupstand is coated with black lacquer and the base incised vertically with Zhang Cheng zao, the maker's mark, and the numeral three, san, inscribed in red lacquer, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 October 2002, lot 584.

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