明晚期 剔彩花鳥紋漆盤|Square tray with birds in a garden

Art Historical Context

This elegant square tray, created in 16th-century China during the Ming dynasty, exemplifies the refined artistry of carved lacquerware. Made from layered red and yellow lacquer, the piece was meticulously carved to reveal intricate designs of birds—likely pheasants—amid flowers and fruit in a garden setting. Such works were highly valued at the imperial court and among the scholar-elite, reflecting Ming tastes for harmonious depictions of nature that symbolized prosperity and seasonal renewal. The technique of building up thick layers of lacquer before carving allowed artisans to create dept...