Not currently on display at the V&A

Bowl Stand

1403-24 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The red colour of this early 15th-century bowlstand was achieved by using cinnabar as a colouring agent. The intricate floral pattern was created by building up many layers of lacquer and then carving them.

Lacquer was a craft from East Asia. Chinese workers had been tapping the sap of the lacquer tree from about 3000 BC. The filtered and purified lacquer was then applied to a base, usually of wood, and coloured.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Lacquer on wood, carved
Brief description
Bowl stand, carved red lacquer, China, Yongle period, 1403-24
Physical description
Red lacquer bowlstand carved with peonies and chrysanthemums
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 16.5cm
Style
Gallery label
Stand for a Tea Bowl Wood or bamboo covered in carved lacquer Peonies and chrysanthemums CHINESE About 1400-1450 FE. 23-1974 Given by Sir Harry Garner, K.B.E., C.B. and Lady Garner(1986)
Credit line
Given by Sir Harry and Lady Garner
Summary
The red colour of this early 15th-century bowlstand was achieved by using cinnabar as a colouring agent. The intricate floral pattern was created by building up many layers of lacquer and then carving them.

Lacquer was a craft from East Asia. Chinese workers had been tapping the sap of the lacquer tree from about 3000 BC. The filtered and purified lacquer was then applied to a base, usually of wood, and coloured.
Bibliographic reference
Clunas, Craig and Jessica Harrison-Hall, eds., Ming: 50 years that changed China, London: British Museum Press, 2014, fig. 226. Garner, Harry, Chinese Lacquer, London-Boston: Faber and Faber, 1979, p.86, pl. 33
Collection
Accession number
FE.23-1974

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 26, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest