A lobed cinnabar lacquer dish Yuan / Early Ming Dynasty

the shallow foliate eight-lobed dish finely carved through thick layers of lacquer with a scene of three scholars riding mules accompanied by three attendants on foot, crossing a narrow stretch of land between two bodies of water, set amid willows and pine trees blowing in the breeze and a pavilion shrouded by clouds on the horizon, enclosed on the cavetto with camellias, chrysanthemums, and two types of peonies all arranged in pairs and bounded by a crisp fluted rim, the exterior carved with classic scroll

There is heavy cracking to the joint of the foot on one side of the underside. The crack extends to the border of the interior scene. The underside appears to be in its orignal state without re-lacquering. There appears to be very little restoration to the rim. There are a few minor cracks to the footrim. But the overall condition is very good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The scene of scholars travelling across a landscape most likely was taken from literati paintings of the period evocative of Zhao Mengfu, Wu Zhen or Wang Meng.  Like these types of paintings, the transition from water to air is very subtle and often treated as just negative space or mist.  In the case of this lacquer dish, the diaper ground changes pattern as water transforms to the air. 

The classic scroll on the exterior has reached its maturity as is the running floral border on the present lot is well-spaced and smoothly flows from one type of flower to the next.  Compare an oval dish from the 14th century illustrated in Regina Krahl and Brian Morgan, From Innovation to Conformity, Bluett and Sons, London, June 1989, cat.no. 8.