元 剔紅「芙蓉」圖盤

of shallow circular form supported on a short slightly tapered foot, deftly carved through the layers of rich cinnabar lacquer and thin layers of black and ochre-yellow lacquers to the ochre-yellow ground with a lush hibiscus blossom and attendant buds wreathed in dense curling foliage, the large central bloom with lobed petals naturalistically detailed with incisions and concentric hollows at their tips, the dense central pistil sprouting two curling stamen, all within a thick border picked out with floral diapers, the underside deeply carved with scrolling guri pommels similarly revealing the three-coloured layers of lacquer, the base lacquered in black

There are a few stabilised cracks around the rim and light typical retouching to the cinnabar lacquer on the underside to the guri pommels, exterior rim and footring. Apart from this the dish is in overall very 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."

Yuan floral dishes of this type are notable for the varied depths of carving and dynamically rendered designs. The skill and flair of the craftsman of the present piece is particularly evident on the curling petals of the present dish, the tips of which have been carved at a shallow angle to reveal the multiple layers of red, black and ochre to create a dazzling textured effect. A dish of this type was included in the exhibitionChugoku urushi kogei ten, Hirano Kotoken, Osaka, 1991, cat. no. 46.

Compare a dish with a central gardenia bloom surrounded by buds and leaves, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in 200 Objects You Should Know. Lacquerware, Beijing, 2008, pl. 3; and another decorated with a large peony and three further flowers and leaves, from the Edward T. Chow and Lee Family collections, sold in these rooms, 3^rd/4^th May 1994, lot 276, and again at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28^th November 2012, lot 2083. As seen on the present lot, the latter two dishes are also carved with xiangcao scrolls on the exterior, a feature typical of Yuan lacquer dishes.