Carved from hundreds thin layers of Vermillion red-orange lacquer, of five lobed petals simulated plum blossom shaped rim body. Rounded edges, raised on footed ring base. Banded with interlocking key fret pattern on both rims. The exterior intrigue carved in deep relief numerous plum blossoms and buds over cresting waves patterned diaper. The interior and underside are ebony lacquered.

The plum (mei) signifies the first month of the lunar calendar.
The plum symbolizes courage and hope because it blossoms first and bravely stands against the dangers of winter.
The plum tree is a member of the Three Friends in Winter.
The five petals of the plum blossom symbolize the "five blessings" (WuFu), also known as the "five happiness's" or "five good fortunes". These five blessings refer to longevity, wealth, health and composure, virtue, and the desire to die a natural death in old age.

Dimension: 8-1/2" W x 7" H

PROVENANCE:
From the collection of General Chen Qi (1912-2000), an artist, calligrapher, a prominent businessman and private antiques collector.
EDEN Fine Antiques Galleries is honored and proud to offer General Chen Qi's heirloom collections including unpublished Qi BaiShi paintings, Fu BaoShi, Zhang DaQian as well as his own calligraphy and paintings.
General Chen Qi's collections can be found on Lot 17, 18, 19, 20, and Lot-88 through Lot-142, continuing at Lot 265 through Lot-298.
For more information about General Chen Qi's Biography, please refer to provenance information at Lot 93.

LOT NOTES:

In its original form, cinnabar is crystallized red mercuric sulphide (HgS), the main ore bearing mercury. Cinnabar has been used for thousands of years as a coloring agent because of its intense red-orange color. It is obtained naturally by grinding ore into a fine powder then mixing the powder into dyes, paints and other finishes such as lacquer. It can also be manufactured by treating a mixture of liquid mercury and sulfur with potassium hydroxide. Cinnabar is the primary pigment in colors commonly referred to as vermilion and Chinese red.
Cinnabar is the color; lacquer is the material from which the objects are carved.
Thin layers of lacquer are applied over the basic form. Each layer must harden before applying the next. Eventually the layers are thick enough to carve. Depth of carving averages about one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch.
Carved lacquer from classical periods in Japan and China, 500-1700 AD, can have as many as 200-300 separate layers. Workshop records from those early periods speak of large pieces that took years to prepare and up to several years to carve.
Reddish-orange carved lacquer, or cinnabar, has been widely exported to the West for over three hundred years.

Some crackle, minor scratches and fading found on the ebony lacquered surface, network of fissures or cracks in a finish lacquer from climate changes. Over all in EXCELLENT condition.


Please Note: EDEN Fine Antiques Galleries provides condition reports as a courtesy to our clients and assumes no liability for any error or omission. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, and is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Descriptions are our opinions and should in no way be construed as a guarantee of any kind as to age, condition, mater. The bidder assumes responsibility for ensuring that the condition of the item(s) meets with their satisfaction prior to bidding. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.