Subasta Bidspirit | A large carved cinnabar lacquer

A large carved cinnabar lacquer dish, China, Qing - Carved through layers of red lacquer. The surface is decorated with ruyi-shaped motifs in two concentric registers. In the centre is a pentagonal flower head. All surrounded by a lobed box that divides the plate in two with a fragrant grass-shaped decorative motifs, called xiangcao . The main design is often called a ”pommel scroll” because it resembles the hilt of a Chinese sword. It is a very common motif  between the 13th and 16th centuries for three-dimensional arts. The Japanese term guri is also sometimes used to classify lacquerware with this design.   Japanese wood box. Diameter 32 cm; Box: 36x36 cm   Provenance: European private collection.