A GROUP OF THREE CHINESE CINNABAR LACQUER WARES
This group comprises a pair of monumental carved cinnabar lacquer baluster vases and an oval carved cinnabar lacquer platter. Richly decorated with deeply carved landscapes, flowering trees, and auspicious motifs, the ensemble reflects the enduring appreciation of carved lacquer as one of China's most technically demanding decorative arts. Combining sculptural depth with vibrant color, these works demonstrate the continued influence of classical Chinese decorative traditions on later lacquer production.
The pair of baluster vases is carved in high relief with continuous mountainous landscapes populated by scholars, pavilions, winding streams, and ancient pines. The broad shoulders and necks are further ornamented with blossoming plum branches set against finely incised diaper grounds, while scrolling floral and ruyi borders frame the principal scenes. The layered carving creates remarkable depth, allowing the landscapes to unfold almost as miniature paintings in lacquer. The rich cinnabar surface, built from numerous layers of lacquer painstakingly applied and carved, exemplifies the extraordinary craftsmanship traditionally associated with Chinese carved lacquer. The bases reveal the underlying metal bodies, indicating the traditional metal-core construction commonly employed for large carved lacquer wares. Built upon metal bodies and covered with numerous layers of cinnabar lacquer before being meticulously carved in relief, these vessels demonstrate the labor-intensive techniques that characterize Chinese carved lacquer craftsmanship.
The accompanying oval platter is intricately carved with luxuriant grapevines bearing abundant clusters of grapes among densely intertwined leaves and curling tendrils. In Chinese decorative art, grapes symbolize abundance, prosperity, numerous descendants, and continual good fortune, making the motif particularly auspicious. The reverse bears an added six-character inscription reading “Da Ming Xuande Nianzhi” (“Made during the Xuande reign of the Great Ming”), reflecting the long-standing practice of later artisans paying tribute to celebrated earlier imperial wares rather than indicating the actual date of manufacture.
Together, the pair of monumental vases and the finely carved platter present an impressive display of traditional Chinese lacquer artistry. Their richly layered carving, elegant decorative vocabulary, and harmonious cinnabar surfaces make the ensemble both visually striking and representative of the enduring legacy of Chinese carved lacquer craftsmanship.
Dimensions: Vases (each): H. 16 in. (40.6 cm), Dia. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm). Platter: L. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm), W. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm).
中国剔红漆器一组三件
本组拍品由一对大型剔红漆花瓶及一件椭圆形剔红漆盘组成，通体髹饰朱漆，并以深浮雕技法雕刻山水人物、亭台楼阁、梅花及葡萄等传统吉祥纹饰，层次丰富，刀法细腻，充分展现了中国剔红漆器兼具雕塑感与绘画意境的艺术特色，也体现了传统漆器工艺历久弥新的装饰魅力。
一对花瓶器形端庄挺拔，敞口束颈，丰肩鼓腹。器身以高浮雕雕刻连续山水图景，远山近水、古松奇石、楼阁庭院与高士人物相互映衬，营造出富有层次感的文人山水意境。颈部雕饰折枝梅花纹，背景满饰锦地纹，肩部及足部则辅以如意纹、卷草纹等传统边饰，使整体构图繁而不乱，富有节奏变化。朱漆层层积髹，再施以精细雕刻，呈现出厚重而温润的质感，是中国雕漆工艺最具代表性的艺术形式之一。底部可见金属胎，说明其采用传统金属胎制作工艺。在金属胎上反复髹积厚层朱漆，再施以精细浮雕刻饰，是大型剔红漆器常见的制作方式，也充分体现了中国雕漆工艺繁复而精湛的技法特点。
椭圆形剔红漆盘通体雕刻葡萄藤蔓纹，枝叶翻卷，藤蔓交错，累累葡萄果实布满盘心，构图饱满而富有生机。葡萄纹自古寓意多子、多福、丰收与家族兴旺，是中国传统装饰艺术中极具吉祥意义的题材。盘背后加刻“大明宣德年制”六字款，为后加寄托款，体现了后世工匠对明代宣德时期雕漆艺术传统的追慕与仿古风尚。
整组三件作品题材丰富，雕工精湛，既展现了中国剔红漆器深厚的雕刻技艺，也融合了文人山水、吉祥花卉与瑞果纹饰等传统文化元素。浓郁的朱漆色泽、富有层次的雕刻效果及完整的组合形式，使其兼具陈设价值、艺术价值与收藏价值。
尺寸：花瓶（每件）高16英寸（40.6厘米），最大直径7 1/2英寸（19.1厘米）；椭圆形漆盘长9 3/4英寸（24.8厘米），宽7 1/8英寸（18.1厘米）。
Contact Asian Arts Department for condition report.
