Dish thumbnail 1
Dish thumbnail 2
Not on display

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Dish

ca. 1300-1350 (made)
Place of origin
China (made)

Lacquer is a waterproof varnish made from the sap of the tree Rhus vernicifera. The Chinese began to use it to provide a protective coating for wooden and bamboo bowls at least 3,000 years ago. Lacquer workers quickly realised the decorative potential of the material. They coated the surface of vessels with multiple layers of lacquer and carved them with decorative patterns. Here two pheasants are shown against a background of flowers.

Object details

Object type
Dish
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Storage Box
  • Dish
Brief description
Dish, carved black lacquer, China, Yuan dynasty, ca.1300-1350
Physical description
Black lacquer carved on reddish- buff ground, decorated with two pheasants in flights against a background of camellias on the inside and a spiral scroll border underneath.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 31.8cm
Gallery label
(2009)
Dish with bird design
Yuan dynasty
1300-1350

Carved lacquer on wood

Sir Harry Garner Gift
Museum no. FE.20-1974
Credit line
Given by Sir Harry and Lady Garner
Subjects depicted
鳳凰
展翅 (動物)
牡丹
花
葉
Summary
Lacquer is a waterproof varnish made from the sap of the tree Rhus vernicifera. The Chinese began to use it to provide a protective coating for wooden and bamboo bowls at least 3,000 years ago. Lacquer workers quickly realised the decorative potential of the material. They coated the surface of vessels with multiple layers of lacquer and carved them with decorative patterns. Here two pheasants are shown against a background of flowers.
Bibliographic references
  • The Oriental Ceramic Society. Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society 1955-57, vol. 30. London: Oriental Ceramic Society in association with Sotheby's Publication, 1958. p. 73, no. 243.
  • Chinese and Associated Lacquer from the Garner Collection, London : British Museum, 1973 29
  • Catalogue of an exhibition of the arts of the Ming dynasty. London : Oriental Ceramics Society, 1957 243
  • The World of lacquer : 2000 years of history, Lisbon : Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, 2001 5
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
FE.20:1, 2-1974

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 createdMarch 5, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O75997/dish/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest