CHINE DYNASTIE MING (1368-1644)

Small covered box In black "tixi" lacquer, carved with lotus petals. The lid features seven lotus seeds surrounded by rows of overlapping lotus petals. Metal interior. The interior with a machine note: "YUAN period - XIVth century Workshops of YANG MAO, the most famous lacquerer of the period". H. 4 cm; D. 7.3 cm NOTE: The "tixi" carved lacquer technique, also known as "guri" in Japanese, consists of superimposing numerous layers of lacquer in alternating colors, which are then carved in depth. This technique, perfected under the Song dynasty (960-1279), reached its apogee under the Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368). Its use continued under the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). The 14th century was a key period for carved lacquer in terms of both technical virtuosity and artistic quality. Artists of great talent, such as Yang Mao and Zhang Cheng, emerged, taking this originally decorative art to imperial-quality production. The present box is a rare example of a 14th-century box and tray.