A LARGE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER RECTANGULAR TRAY

Details

A LARGE CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER RECTANGULAR TRAY
MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

The central panel carved with scholars and ladies in a lush garden setting at leisurely pursuits playing chess, practising calligraphy, listening to music and enjoying the surroundings, with young boys in attendance, all below a square seal inscribed Xi Yuang Yaji 'Literary Gathering in the West Garden', the rounded well with a variety of flower sprigs, all reserved on a diaper ground, the reverse with a similar arrangement of flower sprigs on a yellow ground, the black lacquer base incised and gilt with a Da Ming Yong Le Nian Zhi mark
16 in (40.5 cm.) wide, Japanese wood box

Lot Essay

This decorative 'scholars and garden' theme was extremely popular during the mid to late Ming dynasty. Its influence was derived from earlier 15th century paintings such as Xie Huan's Xing Yuan Yaji, 'The Elegant Gathering in the Apricot Garden', which commemorated an assembly of high ranking officials in the garden of the Grand Secretary Yang Rong in 1437.

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