- 141
A BRONZE QUATREFOIL 'LOTUS' TRAY MING DYNASTY
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 HKD
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Description
well cast with slightly rounded lobed sides rising from a quatrefoil foot to an everted rim, decorated on the interior with a conformingly-shaped panel centred with a stylized lotus encircled by four intertwining leafy lotus scrolls, the base inscribed with an apocryphal six-character Xuande mark within a rectangular cartouche
Provenance
J.J. Lally & Co., New York, September 2000.
Condition
The overall condition is very good with only some very minor casting flaws, tarnishing and surface wear.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
In its elegant form and casting, the present tray is comparable to a pair of inscribed bronze dishes, each cast in the centre with a lengthy inscription dated to the seventh year of Xuande's reign, which corresponds to 1433, and the base bearing a pair of dragons encircling the characters nei nian, sold in our New York rooms, 16th March 1984, lot 121. The decoration is reminiscent of carved motifs found on lacquer wares, for example see a Song dynasty tray deeply carved with floral scroll design included in the exhibition So Gen no bi, Nezu Museum, Nezu, 2004, cat. no. 116.
For examples of bronze dishes bearing a Xuande mark and shaped after lacquer prototypes from the Song and Yuan periods, see a foliate dish sold at Christie's New York, 20th September 2002, lot 178; and another, included in the exhibition Oriental Works of Art, London, 2002, cat. no. 11, from the collection of Gerard Hawthorne.
For examples of bronze dishes bearing a Xuande mark and shaped after lacquer prototypes from the Song and Yuan periods, see a foliate dish sold at Christie's New York, 20th September 2002, lot 178; and another, included in the exhibition Oriental Works of Art, London, 2002, cat. no. 11, from the collection of Gerard Hawthorne.