Chinese Black Tixi Lacquer Supper Box

Of circular shape, the top finely carved to the interior through thick layers of alternate black and red lacquer with two concentric rows of ruyi-heads enclosing a circle with four double scrolls, all within a border of alternating pommel scrolls and ruyi-heads.

H. 4 1/4 in, D. 10 in.

Note: Carved, 'marbled' lacquer (tixi), a variety unique to China, was made from at least the Song dynasty (A.D. 960–1279) onwards. In this labor-intensive technique, several layers of thin lacquer in varying colors are applied to a wood substratum, each layer being left to harden before the next is added. Once this coating has built up to a considerable thickness, grooves may be cut into the lacquer, revealing a series of colored bands.