Lacquer dish with birds and camellia

Historical period(s)
Yuan or early Ming dynasty, 14th century
Medium
Carved red lacquer on wood core
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3.2 x 18.2 x 18.2 cm (1 1/4 x 7 3/16 x 7 3/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.385
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Lacquer, Vessel
Type

Dish

Keywords
bird, camellia, China, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

The design of two long-tailed birds in flight among oversized camellia flowers was one of the most popular motifs for lacquer ware during the fourteenth century. Typical of the period, the picture on this dish was carved with relatively little use of overlapping forms, and much of the ground is exposed between the generously spaced motifs. This use of open space in designs was superceded at the beginning of the next century by a preference for denser compositions. Note the delicately incised strokes that add subtle textures to the bird-and-flower motifs.

Published References
  • Lee Yu-kuan. Oriental Lacquer Art., 1st ed. New York. p. 137.
  • et al. Asian Art in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: The Inaugural Gift. Washington, 1987. cat. 171, p. 262.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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