A BLACK LACQUER 'CHRYSANTHEMUM' DISH SONG DYNASTY |

the sides delicately fashioned with forty-six narrow fluted lobes resembling the petals of a chrysanthemum bloom, all supported on a countersunk base, lustrously lacquered overall in reddish brown, the base further inscribed in red with a yu (jade) character

There are expected lifts as consistent with its age and type, some lightly stabilised. The dish is otherwise in good overall condition.
"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 present lacquer dish, with its elegant shape in line with the aesthetics of the Song dynasty, would have reminded any Chinese, whether from the ruling class or belonging to the scholar gentry, of the understated blooms of chrysanthemums, a flower with delicate fragrance symbolising the subtle virtue of a gentleman. See a larger example with an everted rim (30.5 cm), inscribed to the base with the characters Wu xing dong ji and attributed to the Northern Song dynasty, included in the exhibition The Colors and Forms of Song and Yuan China: Featuring Lacquerwares, Ceramics, and Metalwares, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, 2004, cat. no. 13, together with a dingyao moulded dish of chrysanthemum shape in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum, cat. no. 15.