An unusual Chinese xipi lacquer bitong six character Kangxi mark and probably of the period, decorated with an irregular undulating polychrome design, the rhomboid body raised on four stepped feet, the base and interior lacquered black, 13.3cm.

Provenance: previously sold in these rooms on the 18th May 2011, lot 127.

Cf. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, No.195 for a related but cylindrical example.

The term 'xipi' literally means rhinoceros skin; it describes a type of lacquer where the pattern was made by applying successive layers of different colours on a base of raised moulded lacquer. It is then polished flat to reveal the nodular pattern.