A RARE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER 'WANG XIZHI' RECTANGULAR TRAY MING DYNASTY |

with gently incurved corners, the interior carved with a scene depicting Wang Xizhi leaning against the balustrade of a pavilion overlooking a river with two geese while another scholar stands on the bridge and plays the sheng, further depicted with an attendant in the foreground and accentuated with willow and pine trees, the cavetto decorated with lotus blooms and leaves and echoed on the exterior with peony designs, the base lacquered black

There is a 0.6cm nick to the lower left edge, visible in the catalogue photo. There is a 0.2cm area of retouching to the rockwork. Otherwise good 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."

It is rare to find a large rectangular tray of this quality, with such finely delineated carving. However, similar composition can be found on another lacquer tray in the National Palace Museum collection, Taipei, decorated with scholar drinking wine, included in the museum exhibition Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colours: Treasured lacquerware in the National Palace Museum, The National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, cat. no. 86.