A CINNABAR LACQUER DISH QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of circular form, with shallow everted sides supported on a short tapered foot, carved through rich layers of cinnabar lacquer, the interior with a central peony medallion surrounded by eight sprays of floral blooms and leaves, encircled by a band of ruyi heads, the sides decorated with meandering lotus sprays repeated in the interior and exterior, with a key-fret border at the foot, the rim lined with bamboo-imitation gilt-bronze, the base lacquered black 

This lacquer dish is in good condition, but has been cleaned and has areas of re-lacquering.
"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."

A slightly larger dish of this type but carved with a different floral motif on the interior, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Gugong bowuyuan cang. Diaoqi [Carved lacquer in the Palace Museum], Beijing, 1985, pl. 360, together with one similarly carved with floral sprays but lacking the ruyi band, pl. 357.