plate (dish)

• Tray

• Asia collection

• execution: anonymous, China, 1st half of the 14th century

• Yuan dynasty (1279-1368)

• Tief geschnittener Rotlack auf Holz

• height: 4.5 cm
• diameter: 32.4 cm

• LA 24

• donation , 1869

• Asia Collection

Depictions of two long-tailed birds among peonies frequently appear in early-14th-century lacquerwork as well as in blue-and-white porcelain. Written sources show that particularly in this period extremely elaborate engraved lacquerwork objects—most notably trays and boxes—were sent as imperial gifts to other Asian countries. Peonies and phoenix-like birds were also interpreted as symbols of good fortune outside of China. The high quality of craftsmanship of the lacquer engravers and the high esteem for their works eventually led to the founding of the imperial lacquer workshops in Beijing in the early Ming period (second half of the 14th century), which worked for the court until the end of the monarchy in the 20th century. (Wieninger, Johannes)

• MAK-Schausammlung ASIEN. China – Japan – Korea (seit 2016)

on display

• plate (dish), Tray, Anonym, MAK Inv.nr. LA 24

• https://sammlung.mak.at/en/collect/tray_50907

• 01.04.2025