Lot 448
448
OTHER PROPERTIES
**A POLYCHROMED IVORY EROTIC TRAY

Details
**A POLYCHROMED IVORY EROTIC TRAY
18TH CENTURY

The shallow tray of shaped rectangular form in imitation of curled, overlapping leaves, carved in high relief in the interior with a large branch of chrysanthemum issuing from the lower left corner and forming a canopy over a couple engaged in an amorous embrace, with three insects hovering above and a chyrsanthemum blossom carved on the underside, retaining traces of green, red and black pigment (chips)
6¾in. (17.2cm.) across

Lot Essay

A later ivory tray carved with an erotic scene of a couple beneath a bower of trailing, flowering vines was included in the exhibition, Chinese Ivories from the Shang to the Qing, British Museum, May 24-August 19, 1984, Catalogue, no. 219