No other Yuan or early Ming red lacquer dish with this complex ‘phoenix and peony’ design – probably based on Southern Song dynasty prototype – is known. At Bonhams’ Fine Chinese Art sale in New Bond Street on May 12, it is estimated at £80,000-120,000.
Lacquer discovery at Bonhams
This 14th century cinnabar lacquer dish measuring almost 14in (35cm) across was acquired in Shanghai by the father of the present owner in the 1930s.