Minneapolis Institute of Art

Tray

China

Date

c. 1550

Medium

Red, green, and yellow carved lacquer (ticai)

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The lacquer foundation of this tray consists of yellow, green, and red colored layers. By carving down to varying depths the artisan was able to create a multi-color effect. Called ticai (carved colors), the technique had been available since Song (960-1279), but it wasn't until the Jiaqing reign (1522-66) that it became popular, reflecting perhaps the taste for colorful overglaze porcelain that marked this era. The interior of the tray is carved with two sinuous, five-claw dragons with horns, whiskers, and bushy tails. They confront a yin yang symbol set within a flaming shou (longevity) character. The two long sides depict two dragons in profile confronting a flaming pearl; the two short sides feature single dragons chasing the famous pearl of wisdom. China, Asia

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